KABUL (SW) – The top U.S. peace envoy on Monday reiterated support for the Afghan security forces amid ongoing peace talks with the Taliban.
In a series of tweets, Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, rebuked a Reuters report quoting Taliban sources saying the proposed peace deal will not stop insurgents from attacking Afghan forces.
“No one should be intimidated or fooled by propaganda! Let me be clear: We will defend Afghan forces now and after any agreement w/ the Talibs [Taliban]. All sides agree Afghanistan’s future will be determined in intra-Afghan negotiations”, the U.S. diplomat tweeted. “A Reuters report quoting two unnamed Talib [Taliban] commanders alleges we will cease support of the Afghan forces as part of any agreement. Not true!”
Expert on security affairs Mirza Mohammad Yarmand, said considering the complexity of the task at hand, the nine round of talks might not be enough to reach to an agreement. He added plenty of time is needed to reintegrate the Taliban in modern Afghanistan and implementation of the peace agreement is also time consuming.
In the views of Waheed Mujda, a former Taliban-era official, the talks between the U.S. and Taliban have entered technical phase where both sides are busy in discussions over the withdrawal of troops. He said the delay in signing of the agreement is due to the Taliban’s insistence that the U.S. should stop supporting the Afghan forces. He added the Taliban are skeptical about the stay of the American forces in Afghanistan after the proposed peace deal as well as the amplified threats surrounding Daesh.
Meanwhile, Hamdullah Muhib, national security adviser, has said the Qatar talks are primary parts of the much detailed and complex negotiations to follow in the intra-Afghan talks. He said any peace agreement ahead of the presidential polls is unlikely.
ENDS
