Afghan reforms get cautious reponse

Afghan defence ministry reforms at the weekend left the minister's powerful faction still calling the shots, and analysts questioned if the changes would be enough for the success of a crucial UN-backed disarmament plan.

The United Nations responded cautiously to the reforms yesterday, saying the reaction throughout the country would determine their success or failure, but nevertheless said it hoped the disarmament plan would start in coming weeks.

The government said the long-delayed restructuring of the Tajik-dominated defence ministry announced on Saturday was aimed at making it more ethnically representative and professional, but the move fell short of sweeping change.

The largest ethnic group, the Pashtuns, gained the largest representation in the ministry, but control remained in the hands of powerful Tajik Defence Minister Mohammad Qasim Fahim, while another Tajik, Bismillah Khan was named army chief of staff.

Analysts said it remained to be seen if Fahim's rivals would be sufficiently confident in their new representation in the ministry to go along with an ambitious plan to disarm and demobilise 100,000 factional fighters threatening post-war reconstruction efforts and elections due to be held next year.