KABUL (SW): The U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan John Bass has said the ongoing political dispute related to transition in Balkh is an issue for Afghans to decide within the framework of the Constitution and equality before the law that means no individual is above the law.
Addressing a press conference at the U.S. Embassy on Thursday, the Ambassador said the U.S. respects the sovereignty of Afghanistan, and its ability to exercise this sovereignty through its Constitution and legal framework including the right of the President to replace provincial officials. “We believe strongly that everyone involved in resolving this dispute needs to put the interests of the nation firs that should be the lens through which discussions about this issue and discussion around how it is resolved are viewed”.
He added only people benefiting from this continued impasse and dispute are terrorists and adversaries of Afghanistan. “Resolution of this dispute over the transfer of authority in Balkh needs to be done peacefully, there is no space for violence in resolving this dispute”, Ambassador John Bass said. He added the result and reason of the transition should send a message to Afghans that it is for the greater good of the whole country.
To a question about regional countries’ role in peace building in Afghanistan, he said it is important for neighboring countries including Pakistan that the terrorist organizations often spill over new territory, and those harboring terrorists can become victims. He said China and India can contribute in helping promote economic development and restoring historical trade routes and corridors. In an indirect reference to Moscow’s offer of providing platform for the Afghan peace process two days ago, he said such choices about Afghanistan’s future are the choices for Afghans to make, not by a foreign government, or a terrorist organization or criminal netwroks.
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