Q&A: Can the talks succeed?

Difficulties lie ahead for delegates at the meeting

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Talks are continuing in Bonn over the future of Afghanistan. Ghayth Armanazi, the Arab League's former ambassador to London, spoke to CNN International Anchor Michael Holmes about the prospect of success.

Q. Do you envisage any success from the meeting in Bonn?

A. It is a formidable task. We must remember these groups have been at each other's throats for many years -- if not decades. But there is a mood of cautious optimism I feel - and there is a feeling and conviction that failure is not an option here.

And of course there is the great input of the international community, represented by the United Nations and by other international regional powers with a stake in getting a government together for the reconstructed Afghanistan.

Q. There is immense pressure for success. What is the best we can hope for?

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A. The international community is very determined to get something off the ground here. We can't be too optimistic at this stage and we can't expect too much from this one conference, but there is some broad agreement that at least we can come up with some kind of interim administration for the new Afghanistan.

The powers that be also control the purse strings and there's the economic factor here -- the fact they can provide for the reconstruction, financially and economically, is very important.

Q. What would the Arab world feel about a U.N. peacekeeping force -- or perhaps an Arab peacekeeping force -- in Afghanistan?

A. The idea of a peacekeeping force from other Muslim countries has been mooted. I think that is important because although the Northern Alliance says it can provide for the security of the whole country, there is a feeling it only represents a section of the country.

So, a peacekeeping formula would provide security and comfort for the other ethnic groups and the other elements within Afghanistan's fabric, if you like.

Q. There has been talk that Iraq may be on the next list of nations to be targeted. What would the Arab world think of that?

A. The Arab world is very concerned about that. As the Afghanistan problem fades a little bit into the background, with the prospect of a solution, a lot of anxiety is now being expressed by Arab leaders and by Arab opinion over the next chapter in this war against terror.

They see two possible outcomes - an American push towards peace in Palestine -- which would be very welcome -- or the opposite, which would be a war scenario in Iraq. And there is great fear that they will be talking up the war scenario rather than what is really expected, and that would really lead to a conclusion in the war against terror, and that is going for peace in Palestine.

Q. What happens if the Bonn talks fail?

A. I don't think these will be the final talks if they do fail, and I doubt they will be allowed to fail, but if that is the case there will be pressure -- immense pressure -- to have follow-up meetings.