KABUL (SW) – U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, John Bass, has stressed Afghans need to find common ground and purpose supporting the national interest and to be prepared to compromise to benefit all Afghans.
He said this during a ceremony in connection with the 243rd U.S. Independence Day here. He said Afghans have shown many times throughout history how committed they are to govern themselves, free from foreign interference.
“Afghans bravely confronted and defeated the Soviet Union’s aggression. But I think most of you would agree that many of Afghanistan’s problems today come from within – from the inability of many Afghans to see your diversity as a strength; to find common ground and purpose supporting the national interest along with one’s community and family; and to be prepared to compromise and work together to benefit all Afghans”, he said.
He added Afghanistan has sent countless heroes to the field in the past 40 years. “But, it has not created enough compromisers to safeguard your republic for the next 40 years”, he added.
Ambassador Bass said the next few months will bring opportunities to achieve a political settlement and to select a new leader in Afghanistan. “You must be prepared to compromise. The United States, our NATO allies, our other partners – we cannot solve the problems that divide so many Afghans today. Only you can do that – working together. We cannot guarantee credible results from presidential elections – only you can do that. And we cannot – and will not – decide where and how you must be prepared to compromise with the Taliban – and where they must be prepared to compromise with YOU – to bring this conflict to an end”, he said.
ENDS
