MONITORING (SW) – The US has underlined the role and support of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries for just and durable settlement and a comprehensive ceasefire.
The Department of State spokesman, Ned Price said on Wednesday the was aware that Iran has hosted a meeting between the Taliban and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan negotiating teams.
“This is what we’ve always said, that Afghanistan’s neighbors and countries in the region, they too have a stake in Afghanistan’s future. They need to use their influence in ways that are positive, in ways that are constructive, in ways that promote the cause of peace, in ways that support the people of Afghanistan”, he said.
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The spokesman added the US know that regional consensus and support for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process is important for an enduring peace.
“When it comes to the recent violence, this is something obviously we have spoken to quite a bit, and the point remains that no government that might come to power in Afghanistan through the use of force, at the barrel of a gun, will have legitimacy or the support – and that can be especially critical – from the international community, nor would a government that comes to power by force have the support of the people of Afghanistan. And what we ultimately hope to help support and will seek to help support is a just and durable settlement”, he said.
The spokesman further said the United States is supporting the efforts ongoing in Doha.
“For too long, many of Afghanistan’s neighbors have been happy to see the United States engaged, and the United States alone engaged. If there is to be a just and durable settlement and a comprehensive ceasefire, it needs to be supported – supported by Afghanistan’s neighbors, and we hope to see them act responsibly”, he added.
Responding to a question, he said Pakistan is an important partner across any number of fronts.
“Of course, we have shared interests when it comes to Afghanistan, when it comes to peace and stability in Afghanistan. We have – and this goes over the course of successive administrations now – encouraged Pakistan to be a constructive partner when it comes to Afghanistan and our collective efforts to bring about some semblance of peace and security there. Pakistan has been helpful in – recently when it comes to this shared interest. Our shared interests go well beyond that: broader counterterrorism interests as well, not to mention the people-to-people ties that unite our two countries”, he said.
The spokesman clarified for far too long, some of Afghanistan’s neighbors have not played that role. “They had been happy to let – content, I should say, to let other countries take responsibility. And right now, we have made clear that we are going to be working very closely to ensure that Afghanistan’s neighbors do play that constructive role, knowing that it will be a necessary ingredient to what I think we all collectively hope to see in Afghanistan”, he added.
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