By Safa Haeri, IPS Editor at the Afghans talks

Bonn 27 Nov. (IPS) As the first ever eye to eye talks between different Afghan groups got underway today in Petersburg castle near Bonn, delegates from different participating parties expressed hope that the meeting would yield positive results.

''We came here for peace, to forget the past and forge the future, writing the alphabet of democracy in Afghanistan in cooperation with the international society'', Mohammad Nateqi, a representative from the Vahadat Party that is part of the larger Northern Alliance delegation told Iran Press Service.

He was echoed by Mr. Homayoon Jarir, a spokesman for the Cyprus group, that is sending five delegates, including a woman, to Bonn.

Speaking in a nearby hotel and almost at the same time as Mr. Nateqi, Mr. Homayoon Jarir said the Afghans accepted to come to this conference with the sole aim of reaching a ''lasting peace''.

Asked about the sensitive issue of the presence of foreign forces in Afghanistan, Mr. Nateqi said considering the tradition of fratricide war in Afghanistan, it is obvious that one need an international peacekeeping force.

But when reminded that both Mr. Abdollah, the Alliance's foreign minister and neighboring Iran are against such a presence, Mr. Nateqi said it is possible that at the present e don't need foreign presence, but what if security is not restored?

Asked about a declaration by Mr. Borhaneddin Rabbani, the leader of the Northern Alliance down playing the Bonn meeting, the representative of Vahdat, a Shi'a organization that is backed by Iran said the Northern Alliance wants to cooperate with both the Bonn conference and the United Nations to find out a solution of Afghan's many problems.

''We shall discuss in detail all relevant subjects, chief among them the plan submitted to us by Mr. Brahimi, with whom we shall debate about present, the future, the transition period etc..'' he said.

He described as ''comprehensive'' the number of the delegates, put at 11 for the Northern Alliance and the Rome process and 5 for the Cyprus and the Peshawar groups

While Mr. Nateqi says sarcastically that he ''does not understand this ... moderate, extremist Taleban'', Mr. Jarir rules out any participation of the defeated Muslim orthodox who were in control of more than 90 peer cent of the war-shattered nation until the American started bombing their positions, paving the way for the Northern Alliance to receive most of the country.

''The maximum the Taleban could do is to be helpful in areas controlled by the Poshtoons'', Mr. Jarir conceded, speaking to Mrs. Nasrin Mahdavi of the Persian service of Voice of America.

Both men said they are ready to ''deeply cooperate with all parties'', saying that the participants are ''fully aware of the sensitivity of the situation''.

''There is an urgent need for a broad-based effort for establishing peace and stability in Afghanistan. That's why we are here, not to take power, but working for a lasting peace'', Mr. Jarir stressed, talking on behalf of the group that is made of independent Afghan personalities representing various ethnic, religion and tribes in Afghanistan.

However, he reiterated that any future administration must respond to the will and desire of the Afghan people and ''not imposed by outside''.

''Peace can only last if people' rights are secured and the next political administration is based on a democratic process acceptable for all afghan groups'', he added, assuring that the Cyprus group would ''do its best to reach understanding with others.

Mr. Jarir said while former Afghan King Mohammad Zaher Shah is respected by all Afghans, however, the future government must be decided by afghan people in a process democratic.

Stressing on the important role of the Afghan women, Mr. Jarir told Mrs. Mahdavi that in recognizing that role, his group has included Mrs. Sediqeh Balkhi, the leader of the Cyprus Group's Women section in its delegation to Bonn meeting. ENDS AFGHANS BONN TALKS 271101