KABUL (SW) – The US Chargé d’Affaires to Afghanistan, Ross Wilson has reiterated Washington’s enduring commitment despite the proposed reduction of troops here.
In an online conversation with journalists, he stressed the US, Allies and partners would deeply remain interested in maintaining the gains including economic support to Afghanistan in the future.
“Our highest priority here (in Afghanistan) is to bring about a political settlement that brings about an end to the 40 years of war, and violence and lost opportunity for the people of this country. We don’t believe that a military solution is possible, which means a negotiated settlement of some sort is what is needed. We have not predetermined what that political settlement ought to be. That is up to the Afghans to decide. We strongly support the Islamic Republic and democracy, and the civil society”, said the top US diplomat in Kabul.
Responding to a question, Ambassador Wilson said there is no plan of abandoning of Afghanistan by the US. “We want this country to succeed through peace and economic prosperity”, he said.
About a string of ‘listening sessions’ he has held with groups of Afghan women, parliamentarians, provincial and tribal leaders and business figures, Wilson said there was a great deal of fear and concerns regarding the high levels of violence, particularly in Kandahar and Helmand provinces, since the US signed peace deal with the Taliban on Feb. 29.
He noted that amid rising violence there has been a decrease in the number of attacks the Taliban has claimed responsibility for. “We are deeply concerned about the level of Taliban violence since Feb 29. It is not consistent with the terms of what we believed we agreed with the Taliban. We have told this to Taliban many times clearly and directly. They don’t like the criticism from us”, he said while regretting that the level of violence could not be reduced.
Commenting on the Desired End State scenario, he vowed the US and Allies and partners would deeply remain interested in maintaining the gains including economic support to Afghanistan in the future. “We strongly support the Islamic Republic and we express it through our actions”, he added.
ENDS
