MONITORING (SW) – The top US peace envoy for Afghanistan on Monday warned that the continued high levels of violence can threaten the peace process and the agreement and the core understanding that there is no military solution.
In a series of tweets, Zalmay Khalilzad, US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, labelled the Taliban allegations regarding surging American air raids as ‘unfounded’ charges of violations and inflammatory rhetoric.
“Instead, we should pursue strict adherence to all articles of the U.S.-Taliban Agreement and U.S.-Afghanistan Joint Declaration and not neglect the commitment to gradually reduce violence”, he stressed.
The US Envoy further said continued high levels of violence can threaten the peace process and the agreement and the core understanding that there is no military solution. He added violence remains distressingly high in spite of the recent reaffirmation of the need for substantial reduction.
“Taliban attacks in Helmand, including on the provincial capital; Taliban attacks against Afghan security forces; & Taliban complaints of ANSF operations and coalition strikes led to a recent meeting in Doha”, he tweeted.
Khalilzad said all sides agreed to decrease attacks and strikes and reduce violence and casualties, adding violence in Helmand has decreased, violence overall in the country remains high.
“It was a focus of the Agreement we signed, further highlighted in connection with the releases of the last batch of prisoners and reaffirmed again in the most recent commitment all sides made to adhere to all aspects of the deal”, he tweeted.
The US special envoy said violence has stalked Afghans for far too long. “… It has robbed far too many Afghans of their loved ones. The tragedy in Ghor today is the most recent example”, he tweeted.
He warned the belief that says violence must escalate to win concessions at the negotiating table is ‘very risky’. “Such an approach can undermine the peace process and repeats past miscalculations by Afghan leaders”, he stressed.
Khalilzad demanded all parties must adhere to the letter and spirit of what was negotiated and the recent understanding. “They provide a path to minimizing Afghan loss of life and protecting an historic opportunity for peace which must not be missed”, tweeted the US diplomat.
ENDS
