Settam-e-Melli
Setami Milli (Dari: National Oppression) was a political movement in Afghanistan, led by Tahir Badakhshi. The organization was affiliated with the Non-Aligned Movement, and was opposed by both the Afghan monarchy and by the leftist People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan. National Oppression is considered to be а Maoist organisation by Soviet and Russian sources. [1]
On February 14, 1979, the United States Ambassador to Afghanistan, Adolph Dubs, was kidnapped by four armed militants belonging to the Setami Milli party posing as police. The kidnappers demanded the release of Badruddin Bahes, the imprisoned leader of their party. The government of Hafizullah Amin denied holding Bahes, and refused categorically to negotiate with the militants, in spite of the US embassy's demands.[2] Dubs was held in Room 117 of the Kabul Hotel (now called Kabul Serena Hotel). Afghan security forces and Russian advisers swarmed the hallway and surrounding rooftops, but negotiations stalled. Shortly after 12:30 p.m., an exchange of gunfire started between the militants and the Afghan security forces, and the ambassador was killed.[1]
During the Taraki-Amin period, the Setamis withdrew to the Afghan countryside, though as an urban movement this removed them from their powerbase. During the 1979-1986 rule of communist president Babrak Karmal, the Setamis became closer with the government, partially as Karmal had been personal friend of Badakhshi (who had been killed in 1979).[3] A Setami leader, Bashir Baghlani, went over to the government in 1983, and was made Minister of Justice.[4]
The Setamis continued to play a prominent role among the non-Pashtun northeastern Afghan militias, playing a part in Ahmad Shah Massoud's defeat at Shahr-i Bozorg in 1990.[5]
References
- ^ Alexander Lyahowskiy. Afghan Tragedy an Glory. Iskona, 1995. Nord, 2004. Moscow. Google translator
- ^ Harrison, Selig (1995). Out of Afghanistan: The Inside Story of the Soviet withdrawal. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 34–35. ISBN 0-19-506294-9.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Gilles Dorronsoro. Revolution unending: Afghanistan, 1979 to the present.. C. Hurst & Co. Publishers, 2005. ISBN 1-85065-703-3, ISBN 978-1-85065-703-3
- ^ J. Bruce Amstutz. Afghanistan: The First Five Years of Soviet Occupation. DIANE Publishing, 1994. ISBN 0-7881-1111-6, ISBN 978-0-7881-1111-2
- ^ Gilles Dorronsoro. Revolution unending: Afghanistan, 1979 to the present.. C. Hurst & Co. Publishers, 2005. ISBN 1-85065-703-3, ISBN 978-1-85065-703-3
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