BBC Interview with Abdul Salam Zaeef

[KhyberKhan]

It's worth noting that the BBC interviewer seems to lose all objectivity from the outset and a sense of hostility can be sensed in her questioning, I imagine this was due to the timing of the interview itself - It being the month where British forces suffered huge loses due to Taliban ambushes.

He handles it very well though. Very thought-provoking interview no doubt.

Click on link below to listen.

http://www.box.net/shared/45bxmoj3cn

[شمله ور خراساني]

[Catya Sher]

The interviewer seems so SLOW. She asks dumb questions.
It's very obvious from the very first that he is under Kabul govt custody because that was the only way he could get his freedom.

He is polite but must have been rolling his eyes the whole time.

Her tone is so nasty and sharp that it's difficult to listen.
Questions are blah, at least Part I.

Though curious to learn something new, because I have his autobiography from the library - which I haven't yet read - the interview style puts one off from listening to Part 2 and 3.

Other people's reactions?

[شمله ور خراساني]

The interviewer seems so SLOW. She asks dumb questions.
It's very obvious from the very first that he is under Kabul govt custody because that was the only way he could get his freedom.

He is polite but must have been rolling his eyes the whole time.

Her tone is so nasty and sharp that it's difficult to listen.
Questions are blah, at least Part I.

Though curious to learn something new, because I have his autobiography from the library - which I haven't yet read - the interview style puts one off from listening to Part 2 and 3.

Other people's reactions?

its Lyse Doucet. She is well known through-out the years of war in Afghanistan, she was reporting for BBC.

Afghans hate her with passion.

[Dust]

This interview was very mind opening. Thank you for sharing. I must admit that the interviewer was very cunning; and, she tried every trick in the book to try to get him to trip, but he was very calm and respectful and very clear about his views.

[Dust]

Afghans hate her with passion.

What do you mean by this? This is the first time I have heard of her.

[Catya Sher]

I had never heard of her either. I can absolutely see why Afghans would dislike her.
So high-handed, and pushy. Ick.
He was probably regretting having granted the interview.

The truth is, the Kabul govt must have demanded he give her the interview.
Pressure from abroad must have been applied to officials, or something similar to this.

He sounds so feeble, as though in poor spirits and/or weak heart.

Wasn't this man subjected to ENOUGH torture already without having to endure this cold cross examining?!

[شمله ور خراساني]

if you dont know Lyse Doucet in Afghan current affairs, it is like not knowing Madden in AMerican Football league.

[Catya Sher]

Never heard of him, either!
I don't care for that stuff. How will it get one to Heaven?!

I never listen to BBC, so that's why it's an unfamiliar name.
What origin is that name?
How far back does her interview work go? The 1990s too?
Does she always sound so antagonistic?

[شمله ور خراساني]

Never heard of him, either!
I don't care for that stuff. How will it get one to Heaven?!

I never listen to BBC, so that's why it's an unfamiliar name.
What origin is that name?
How far back does her interview work go? The 1990s too?
Does she always sound so antagonistic?

Late 80's. Dont know. But sounds french to me.

[KhyberKhan]

I had never heard of her either. I can absolutely see why Afghans would dislike her.
So high-handed, and pushy. Ick.
He was probably regretting having granted the interview.

I think it was a good thing he gave her the interview even though he was virtually under house arrest. It smashes to pieces the agit-prop fueled perspective that the Taliban are brutal savages not willing put forward their reasoned ideas it also gives a human voice to the resistance.

Also, the west has Billions of dollars invested in PR machines and spin doctors waiting to character assassinate someone at a moments notice. It has retired defense analysts that sit on prime time news panels pushing the state-sponsored propaganda. It's almost like the fourth branch of the military.

This is not a luxury its "enemies" can afford.

[khushal]

I dont even know why he was arrested, usually in conflicts the ambassador is not arrested nor taken prisoner he is just a messanger of your opponent. When pearl harbor was attacked by japan, the japanese ambassador was never arrested nor taken prisoner, and vise versa, this is not the act of a civilized country that holds human rights in high regrads. The most savage armies in midevil times never hurt the messanger of the opponent.
"To judge the level of civility of a society, you must look at how that society treats its prisoners."-- Socrates

[Catya Sher]

Hi Nazia!

Absolutely AGREE !
From what I can see so far, a very spiritually elevated person DUE TO what you listed!

That's why I feel so bad that he was badgered and manipulated so much by that - nasty! - woman. I was upset about her style for hours after just hearing Part I !

I'm still thinking about the dynamics this morning, that's how much affect it had on me.

I think Khyber Khan said it perfectly: that was a version of the angle I was mulling over. I just wouldn't use that communist term agit-prop, but I know what he means./

One HAS to see that side to understand why an interview would take such shape as this one.

No mercy, no caring, no apologies for his unbelievably cruel treatment by the occupying forces. No kindness in her voice but demanding: GIVE ME INFORMATION ABOUT MULLAH OMAR so I can get a good scoop! BBC might be sliding in the ratings: we need real meat ! So she asks about the battle where he was wounded.

He gets vague there, unless that section continues on Part II. I suppose I could listen to it a bit later when I get back my depleted energy!

It's truly depressing this entire Western mindset toward Afghans in general, not just the Taliban. That shows clearly through how Lyse Doucet handled the poor diplomat, who absolutely should have been shown respect from the very outset, as khushal says.

In contrast, someone posted a shorter interview a few weeks ago. The questions were intended to sound objective. But clearly the man sympathized with Zaeff. He elicits details of the horrific time at Guantanamo.

Due to that, I got the book. Tellingly, it seems to be by less-known authors: a good sign. They seem very objective: I hope.

It actually looks so unusually in-depth - as opposed to all the superficial Western accounts everywhere else one looks - that I might buy a copy to keep as a reference.
The only book so far from this decade that I would. Or the last two decades, for that matter ! Everything I read by Western authors embodied some of the same condescension and assuredness of how right America was to invade and how abominable were the Taliban.

This man gives a glimpse of perhaps some of the real figures who were active in that time.

Probably that's why the BBC interviewer seems to go out of her way to make him seem suspicious and dangerous!

[KhyberKhan]

I dont even know why he was arrested, usually in conflicts the ambassador is not arrested nor taken prisoner he is just a messanger of your opponent. When pearl harbor was attacked by japan, the japanese ambassador was never arrested nor taken prisoner, and vise versa, this is not the act of a civilized country that holds human rights in high regrads. The most savage armies in midevil times never hurt the messanger of the opponent.
"To judge the level of civility of a society, you must look at how that society treats its prisoners."-- Socrates

It's actually against international law to arrest any ambassador on diplomatic duty. Especially one recognized by the State.

But we know from history how the US has trampled all over international law and continues to do so just as quick as the Pakistani leader Busharaff decided to sell his soul to the devil when he got the phone call from Richard Armatige.

[MeemWawMeemNoon]

If you hear in-between the lines you would noticed that he was not fond of Mullah Omar. A real Divinely appointed Amir can never be overthrown by anyone and still remain alive for less than second (minimum).

I think that he and Mullah Omar had different visions and views on the future of Afghanistan. It seems, by induction, that Mullah Omar was comfortable using Bin Laden. Further, it seems, from what was said, that Bin Laden was sincere about his ways. He was simply taken advantage of, by Mr. Omar.