KABUL (SW) – Zalmay Khalilzad, Special US Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, has said if the Taliban wish to enter peace or continue with the war, Washington is ready for both.
Addressing journalists at the US Embassy in Kabul, the seasoned diplomat expressed hope the Taliban embrace peace, however, if they wished to continue with the war, Washington would stand firm by the government and the people of Afghanistan.
He said the international community is proud of its support for the Afghan security and defense forces, and presently the pressure build-up by these forces in pivotal. He said the support for Afghanistan would continue to ensure Afghanistan and rest of the world is secured from the threats of terrorism. Khalilzad underlined the US intends to have long-term military, economic and political partnership with Afghanistan.
The Taliban have warned to stall all talks and negotiations with the US until America ends ‘unlawful’ pressures and maneuvering. In a statement issued late on Tuesday, the rebels charged the US for unilaterally adding new subjects to the previous agenda of withdrawal of foreign troops and preventing Afghanistan from being used against other countries reportedly agreed upon in Doha meeting in November 2018.
However, Assadullah Zaeyri, deputy spokesman for the High Peace Council, said such warnings by the Taliban would not derail the peace talks. He said the process would continue normally.
Meanwhile, Waheed Mujda, expert on Taliban affairs, told Salam Watandar the Taliban might quit the process owing to vague policies of the U.S and regional rivalries. He pointed two blocks have now emerged in connection with the peace process with the U.S, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Pakistan in one block and Iran, Russia and Qatar in the other one.
The U.S has pushed the Taliban to sit for face-to-face talks with the Afghan government. Washington is of the opinion that the entire Afghan nation does not want complete withdrawal of the foreign troops.
ENDS
