Debate continues over role of Supreme State Council

KABUL (Tolo News): There has been no tangible progress made by political leaders and government officials in reaching an agreement on the Supreme State Council’s structure, number of members, or authority–as either an advisory council or decision-making body–an official of the High Council for National Reconciliation said.

According to a document seen by TOLOnews, an 18-person list has been prepared for membership of the Supreme State Council, but the Presidential Palace said it is not final so far. Some politicians, including Hizb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, has called for less members, according to sources. Enayatullah Babur Farahmand, the deputy head of the reconciliation council, referring to the list that was leaked to the media, said that inclusivity and proportionate religious and ethnic participation should be considered in the formation of the Supreme State Council.
“There are two big differences over the Supreme State Council.

The first difference is over its authorities and the decision-making role of the council, and the second difference is on the structure and the number of the members of the Supreme State Council,” Farahmand said. Some reports indicate that the president has sent some of his aides to consult with Hekmatyar, Salahuddin Rabbani and Hamid Karzai to discuss with them the finalization of the names of the council and the limits of its authorities. “Some say that the number of the members of the council should be less, some say it should be more.