KABUL (SW): Top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John Nicholson, chief of the NATO-led Resolute Support mission, has reiterated support for the Kabul government’s peace offer to the Taliban.
Talking to a group of journalists at the RS headquarters, Gen. Nicholson said the NATO and allies are committed towards ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan. He hailed the government’s offer for unconditional peace talks with the Taliban, and added the rebels would face additional social pressures in the future.
"We are going to see social pressure applied to the Taliban for peace through the election occure and Afghan people select thier own leadrs".
The top U.S. commander said President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani’s peace offer to the Taliban is different and encouraging. He underlined that the Kabul Process conference has put diplomatic, religious, social and military pressures on the Taliban creating hopes for peace and stability in Afghanistan. He added the U.S. would continue to exert pressure on Pakistan to back the peace process until the goal for peace is achieved.
Gen. Nicholson said military pressure on the Taliban would also continue. He mentioned the Afghan Special Forces would be doubled in size, the Afghan Air Force would be futher strengthened and numbers of U.S. military advisors would be increased.
He further said the international community is committed towards timely and fair elections. He added special attention would be paid towards ensuring peace in the capital Kabul in line with the security strategy for 2018, and the Afghan security forces would have persistent support for this.
ENDS
