The most unfortunate part of Saturday’s incident at the Kabul Airport was not so much that seven people were killed, though that was unfortunate, as that it was not the first such incident, following Monday’s horrific deaths, still not definitely determined, when people clinging to the landing gear of a departing aircraft were killed when the plane pulled up its wheels. The basis of the problem is the failure of any authority to establish control over Kabul Airport, and until that is done, it may not mean the end of the incidents. That will only happen when there is an end to people’s desperation in their attempts to flee the Taliban. The Taliban are not helping matters by engaging in hounding opponents. Despite the appeals for calm and promises of tolerance, there are now too many reports of raids against potential opponents to be ignored. It should surprise no one that those who suspect that they might be targeted, that promises of toleration may be ignored, try to flee. And then, if in this desperation, they end up getting killed, who is to blame? If the Taliban claim to have taken over the government, they will then have to accept that particular responsibility. It is no longer a matter of fighting for freedom, or changing perception; it is a matter of stopping people being killed at Kabul Airport.
That incident might almost be taken as a symbol of the Taliban dilemma. At one level, the departure of those who fear the Taliban, cleanses the polity of those who, for various reasons, could or even definitely would, oppose the present regime. However, the process must be orderly. The disorder that is being seen is driven by the desperation of those who want to depart, but behind this is a combination of laxity in running the airport, as well as despair created by raids and even killings being reported on the grapevine.
The Taliban must understand that not only must the savage desire for revenge be brought under control, but so must all draconian measures. The Taliban has enough control of ‘hearts and minds’ to have as far as they have. Now they need to use this to get as far as the general pacification of the country.
