The White House on Friday announced it had received a letter believed to be from the Taliban leader in Afghanistan, Mullah Mohammed Omar. The letter seeks the release of Taliban prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. This overt communication began when the Taliban requested to open a political office in Qatar for the purpose of engaging the Afghan government in peace negotiations.
Here are some facts about Mullah Omar:
Government Leadership
Under the title of "Head of the Supreme Council," Mullah Omar led the Taliban government of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 when American forces drove him from power. His goal was to establish a pure Islamic state that avoided modern technology. Since his ouster from power, he has led the insurgency that appears to grow in power in certain regions. BBC News reported his counter-insurgency efforts are working on ordinary Afghans who understand that after NATO forces leave, the Taliban will still be there.
Appearance Unknown
Little is known about Omar, including what he looks like. During his tenure as head of the government, CNN reported he rarely met with foreigners, ruled by decree and conducted most negotiations through Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil. Photographs used by the media were later determined to be an impersonator.
Forming the Taliban
After Soviet occupiers were driven from Afghanistan in 1989, Omar formed a core group of student resistance fighters that were known as "taliban" with a goal of establishing the most-pure Islamic state. BBC News reported that by 1994 they had captured control of one Afghan province. In September 1996 the capital of Kabul also fell to Taliban control. The next year, Omar proclaimed the country as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Pakistan were the only countries to offer official diplomatic recognition to Omar's government.
Overthrow
When American forces entered Afghanistan in 2001, Omar went into hiding. While Allied forces believe he is in western Pakistan, his exact location has remained a mystery. For harboring Osama bin Laden, Omar was added to the State Department's Rewards for Justice program, which offers a $10 million reward for his capture. Although Pakistan denies it, a captured Taliban informant as well as Afghan President Hamid Karzai have stated Omar is kept under the protection of the Pakistani military near Quetta, Pakistan.
Letter to Obama
The White House was rumored to have received a letter from Omar last year, which Reuters reported was disclosed Friday. Obama administration officials differ on the authenticity of the unsigned letter but believe it contains language used by the intermediary. This communication and other back-channel dialogue has centered on the release of five Taliban prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay. Omar has pledged to retake control of Afghanistan when allied troops depart, currently scheduled to be no later than 2014.
Dan McGinnis is a freelance writer, published author and former newspaper publisher. He has been a candidate, campaign manager and press secretary for state and local political campaigns for more than 30 years.
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