Afghan 'emir' denies abuse claim

By Ian MacWilliam
BBC correspondent in Kabul

The chief military commander of western Afghanistan has denied accusations by human rights organisations that his administration has been involved in human rights abuses.

Human rights observers have accused regional warlords

As both governor of Herat and military commander of five provinces, Ismail Khan is the most powerful man in western Afghanistan. His followers call him the Emir of Herat.

He has been meeting President Karzai and other governors and commanders in Kabul to discuss national security and how to improve ties between the capital and Afghanistan's regional centres.

A report issued this week by the New York-based Human Rights Watch organisation accused regional warlords of creating a climate of fear in Afghanistan which threatened to derail national elections planned for next year.

But Ismail Khan said his administration was bringing significant improvements to Herat province - increasing the number of boys and girls attending school and university and encouraging the development of local businesses to provide much needed jobs.

He had also improved conditions in prisons and in hospitals, he said.

'Threats to journalists'

The Herat governor, who has his own local army, said the formation of the new Afghan National Army was going too slowly and should open recruiting and training centres in Herat.

Ismail Khan was the main leader of the anti-Soviet uprising in Herat and he has been the de facto ruler of the province for many years, apart for a period in prison and in exile under the Taleban.

Most Heratis say he ensured peace in their region when other parts of Afghanistan were at war.

But in recent months he has been accused of threatening journalists who criticise him and continuing conservative religious restrictions on women.