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Did FIS want to end democracy?

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Thu Sep 14th, 2006 at 08:20:08 AM EST
[ Parent ]
It wanted to institute Sharia law.

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. — Euripides
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Sep 14th, 2006 at 08:22:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]
I found a rather good account that more or less answers my question. The basic picture is that FIS had two important divisions: the Islamic-revival and the reform-Islam wings, and the democratic-route advocates vs. the Afghan veterans; and that by the elections, the second wing resp. the first group was in power within the party.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Thu Sep 14th, 2006 at 08:40:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]
It's quite possible the realities of government would have split the moderate wing from the radical wing. But we will never find out. As we will never find out what Hamas would have done had it been allowed to normally take power in the PA.

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. — Euripides
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Sep 14th, 2006 at 08:41:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Well, as the linked account says, the 'radical wing' was effectively neutered by the elections (its two leaders were under arrest and the sole 'moderate' who remained taking over the party structure), so the question is how much the Salafists would have been allowed back into (central) power (or climbed back on their own using local power as basis) should election victory force their leaders' release.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Thu Sep 14th, 2006 at 09:08:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]
BTW, while both committed atrocities, one should make the distinction between the AIS (FIS's armed wing) and GIA (the latter was also responsible for the bombings in France).

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Thu Sep 14th, 2006 at 08:52:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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