Information on the National Front (Jabah Mile or Jebhe Meli), including its objectives and activities during the Najibullah regime (1986-92), the make-up of its membership, on whether its members were supporters of or worked for the Najibullah regime, and on whether it was commonly referred to as the National Front for Reconciliation [AFG19634.E]

The Europa World Year Book 1994 states that in June 1981 the Afghan government formed the National Fatherland Front (NFF) consisting of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) "and other organizations, with the aim of promoting national unity" (1994, 279). In May 1985 a non-PDPA member was appointed Chairman of the NFF (ibid.). According to the source, in December 1986 an extraordinary plenum of the Afghan ruling party, the PDPA, "approved a policy of national reconciliation which involved negotiations with opposition groups, and the proposed formation of a coalition government of national unity" (ibid.) The source adds that in January 1987

a Supreme Extraordinary Commission for National Reconciliation, led by Abd ar-Rahim Hatif [Abdul Rahim Hatef] (the Chairman of the National Committee of the NFF), was formed to conduct the negotiations. The NFF was renamed the National Front (NF), and became a separate organization from the PDAP. The new policy of reconciliation won some support from former opponents, but the seven-party mujahidin alliance ... refused to observe the cease-fire or to participate in negotiations, while continuing to demand a complete and unconditional Soviet withdrawal (ibid.).

Encyclopedia of the Third World confirms the above-mentioned information, noting that in 1987

as part of the efforts towards ending the civil war, political parties were permitted, provided they accept reconciliation. At that time, the National Fatherland Front, founded in 1981 as a union of PDPA representatives and national and tribal groups, became the umbrella for legal political activity under the name of the National Front (NF) (1992, 7).

The Europa World Year Book 1994 maintains that as part of the government-initiated process of national reconciliation, the 1987 approved draft of a new constitution provided for "the formation of a multi-party political system, under the auspices of the NF" (1994, 279). Referring to the April 1988 parliamentary elections, Europa states that the "PDPA itself won only 46 seats in the House of Representatives, but was guaranteed support from the NF, which gained 45" (ibid., 280).

The attached 1987 TASS report provides information on the NF. According to this report, the main objectives of the NF were to ensure "peace, security and nationwide reconciliation," mobilizing "patriots for strengthening the country's defence capability," to speed up "the country's social and economic development and carry out the first five-year plan" (15 Jan. 1987). The report states that the NF central council, elected in the second NFF congress in January 1987 during which the NFF was renamed the NF, consisted of "more than 200 representatives of all social strata and groups of the population ethnic groups and tribes in Afghanistan" (ibid.). The congress elected Abdul Rahim Hatef chairman of the Central Council of the NF (ibid.). The attached BBC report refers to Abdul Rahim Hatef as the vice-president and chairman of the NF (BBC Summary, 15 Sept. 1988).

Sources consulted by the DIRB do not make specific mention as to whether the NF was also known as the National Front for Reconciliation. However, the following information might be useful. Elaborating on the process of formation of the NF, The Europa World Year Book 1994 states that a Supreme Extraordinary Commission for National Reconciliation led by Abdul Rahim Hatef, the Chairman of NFF and then NF, was formed to conduct negotiations for the achievement of reconciliation in Afghanistan (1994, 279). The attached BBC report, which provides information on the assassination of two persons, introduces the victims as "Enayatolh, member of the Supreme Extraordinary Commission for National Reconciliation in Afghanistan, chairman of the National Front council and of the Reconciliation commission in the district Rodat ..., and his son" (BBC Summary, 6 Feb. 1987). The attached TASS report regarding the NF founding congress refers to an NF resolution urging the Afghans to "tirelessly work at extraordinary commissions for national reconciliation at all levels" (15 Jan. 1987).

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this information request.

References


BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 15 September 1988. "Afghan Officials Meet UN Human Rights Commission Delegation." (NEXIS)

_____. 6 February 1987. "Other Reports; Member of Reconciliation Commission Killed in Nangarhar." (NEXIS)

Encyclopedia of the Third World. 1992. 4th ed. Vol. 1. Edited by George Thomas Kurian. New York: Facts On File.

The Europa World Year Book 1994. 1994. Vol. 1. London: Europa Publications.

The Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union (TASS). 15 January 1987. "Afghanistan National Fatherland Front." (NEXIS)

Attachments

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 15 September 1988. "Afghan Officials Meet UN Human Rights Commission Delegation." (NEXIS)

_____. 6 February 1987. "Other Reports; Member of Reconciliation Commission Killed in Nangarhar." (NEXIS)

Encyclopedia of the Third World. 1992. 4th ed. Vol. 1. Edited by George Thomas Kurian. New York: Facts On File, p. 7.

The Europa World Year Book 1994. 1994. Vol. 1. London: Europa Publications, pp. 279-280.

The Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union (TASS). 15 January 1987. "Afghanistan National Fatherland Front." (NEXIS)

Sources Consulted

Afghanistan: A Country Study. 1988.

Communist and Marxist Parties of the World. 1990.

DIRB country file (Afghanistan).

Encyclopedia of the Third World. 1992.

The Europa World Year Book 1994. 1994

Political Parties of the World. 1988.

World Encyclopedia of Political Systems and Parties. 1987.

On-line search of articles.