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Article: Despite enormous odds, Afghans have hope in the future.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)
- Article from:
- Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service
- Article date:
- January 17, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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BAGHRAN, Afghanistan _ By all accounts, Abdul Wahed had given up power and pledged support for Afghanistan's new interim government.
The old warlord, known throughout southwest Afghanistan as Rais of Baghran, was suspected of harboring fugitive Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar. Wearing a spotless white tunic, a brown vest and a gray, thin-striped turban, Rais denied this on a brilliant sunny day two weeks ago, but he left no room for doubt about who called the shots in his remote mountain fiefdom.
"Now, if you'll excuse me," Rais said in a quiet, measured voice, cutting short the interview as two dozen white-bearded elders pressed forward to kiss his ...