KABUL (SW) – In an exclusive interview with Salam Watandar, former US Deputy Chief of Mission in Kabul, Karen Decker spoke about a range of issues including the peace process, issues of corruption and her personal experience in the country
Salam Watandar: After the Loya Jirga, we talked to the chairmen of the committees of this consultative assembly and they said that if peace is guaranteed, they will not have a problem with the release of Taliban prisoners. What is your opinion in this regard? Is peace guaranteed?
Karen Decker: Even life cannot be guaranteed, yet the Afghan government has done everything in its power intended as a way to build trust. The government of Afghanistan, in order to show its readiness for the peace process, involved the people in this direction and was able to make a big and difficult decision regarding the release of prisoners. We have been discussing these issues with the Afghan government on an ongoing basis. Therefore, I think a lot has been done and the peace process has reached an inevitable stage. If you look at all that happened after February 29, the day we issued a joint statement with the Afghan government and the US agreement with the Taliban was finalized, the Afghan government released 5,000 prisoners to build trust and formed a negotiating team for inter-Afghan talks. With these steps in mind, we conclude that peace talks are about to begin.
Salam Watandar: Since the disputed 2014 elections, which were repeated in 2019, political stability in Afghanistan has been challenged. Tensions between President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah over the selection of ministers and members of the peace negotiators have been strained. What is the negative impact of this issue and what role does the United States play in solving these problems?
Karen Decker: I have been in Afghanistan for many years, traveling to the south and east and seeing urban and rural areas of the country. It seems that the conversations between the citizens of Afghanistan focuses more on the differences than on their solidarity. I think this is a big challenge for a developing country because the lack of unity will only benefit the Taliban. Afghanistan is a culturally and ethnically rich and diverse country, and when views differ so much, unity is challenged. Afghanistan needs to be maintained as a democratic and independent country, so that its citizens can unite. I hope that President Ghani and Dr. Abdullah and former President Hamid Karzai and other political leaders will share their views; views that lead to the unity and strength of Afghanistan, not the views that lead to divisions and benefit the other side.
We spoke with the government and with Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, as well as with a wide range of Afghan people. Fifteen years ago, we did not know the people of Afghanistan as well as we do today, we have gained a great deal of knowledge of the people. When it comes to President Ghani and Dr. Abdullah, they are experienced servants of the people and leaders of this country, and I am sure that both of them are talking to each other. The United States certainly supports all the activities that these two leaders and their supporters will do to strengthen the republic.
Salam Watandar: France and Australia have expressed concerns about the release of a number of Taliban prisoners because they were involved in the killing of their soldiers. Did the United States consult with its allies about the release of these prisoners?
Karen Decker: This is one of the most difficult issues I have dealt with in my thirty years as a diplomat. It is not just the prisoners that France and Australia have expressed concern about, but the collective release of prisoners, and the release of each of these prisoners has been a difficult decision. Each of these prisoners has left victims and is responsible for the mourning of many families, but the fact is that you are not making peace with your friends, which is why the Afghan government has taken a tough decision to release the prisoners in order to build trust and show readiness for peace. The prisoners involved in the attack on the coalition forces are a subset of these prisoners, and we are in constant contact with the parties involved in this matter, seeking to find a solution that will advance the peace process and heal the families of the victims. The issue of victims and reconciliation and amnesty is one of the most difficult stages of peace talks.
Salam Watandar: Some circles in Afghanistan consider peace as a project for US elections. Why do you think they think so, and how do you explain this concern?
Karen Decker: More than two years ago, President Trump announced his strategy for South Asia, and for the first time in 20 years, it became clear that there was no military solution to the Afghan crisis, and that a political path had to be taken to end the violence. It was supported by many people in Afghanistan. The South Asia strategy gave us a sense of how to implement this plan, and from an American point of view, how to guarantee the fight against terrorism, and that was why the US-Taliban talks started, but that was just one of the factors for peace talks. When the United States received the necessary guarantees from the Taliban in the fight against terrorism, and they also called for the reduction of coalition forces in Afghanistan, the only way to end the problems was to find a political solution and face-to-face talks with the Afghan government. The US election is taking place this year and I know some people believe the rumors about the purpose of the peace talks and their connection to the US election, but these talks started a long time ago and for a very important reason. That is why our participation in the peace talks is not due to US political concerns, but rather a response to the widespread call of Afghan citizens to end war and violence.
Salam Watandar: Women are concerned that peace talks could lead to a return of the Taliban rule. How likely it is that women will be deprived of their rights and freedoms and achievements they have achieved over the past 18 years?
Karen Decker: This is a question that needs to be asked every day to make sure nothing happens behind the scenes. I do not think it is possible to reverse the achievements of women over the past few years, because Afghanistan will need the help of the international community in the coming years, and this help will be conditional, and if women's rights are violated, no helper will be willing to help. The United States has invested in women's rights for the past 20 years and is reluctant to stop.
Salam Watandar: President Ghani has always spoken of good governance and the fight against corruption, although some of those in his close circle have been involved in corruption over the years, especially his finance ministers and close advisers, which has led to a halt in US aid. Is the United States satisfied with the fight against corruption?
Karen Decker: More needs to be done to fight corruption. I have repeatedly told Afghan government officials, civil society activists and the people that the Taliban are killing people, but corruption is destroying the whole country. We have talked openly with the Afghan government about our expectations for fighting corruption and how the next meeting of supporters will be organized, and corruption will play a key role in such a meeting. The government needs to report on a roadmap to fight corruption. I am very happy that an arrest warrant was issued last week for General Peykan, which was part of administrative corruption, and I hope that Karamuddin Karim, the former president of the Football Federation, will be arrested soon. The fight against corruption is not only the desire of the United States, but the desire of all donors. The United States has donated large sums of money to Afghanistan over the past two decades, some of which have been depleted; however, the United States has also made mistakes during this time.
Salam Watandar: You were in Afghanistan for three years as the Deputy Secretary of the US Embassy. How did you find Afghanistan?
Karen Decker: Afghanistan is a wonderful country because its people are amazing. Parts of Afghanistan are like areas in the western United States where my family belongs, and that's why being in Afghanistan reminded me of my home. But, the reasons I came back to Afghanistan again were the inspiration I got from Afghan women; professional women who run the country's economy and sacrifices of the Afghan forces in defense of their country.
Salam Watandar: What are your recommendations for the next Deputy Chief of Mission?
Karen Decker: Afghanistan and the United States have common views in some areas, and to achieve these views mutual cooperation is required. My advice to my successor is to meet with the people of Afghanistan across the country, and not just in Kabul, listen to them and reaffirm our commitment to them. I would like to be able to bring my family to Afghanistan one day as a tourist, especially to the Band-e Amir.
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