Afghanistan: US To Resume Talks With Taliban Forces Next Week
The United States has agreed to resume talks with the Taliban next week in Qatar, to address issues bordering on the fight against terrorism and the humanitarian crisis among other vital issues in Afghanistan, Channels TV reports.
The State Department spokesman, Ned Price, said on Tuesday that the American delegation will be led by the US special representative for Afghanistan, Tom West, for the planned two weeks of discussions.
He revealed that the two sides would discuss “our vital national interests,” which included counter-terrorism operations against the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda, humanitarian assistance, Afghanistan’s devastated economy, and safe passage out of Afghanistan for US citizens and Afghans who worked for the United States during the 20-year war.
It was reported that the West met two weeks ago in Pakistan with the representatives of the hardline Islamist movement that seized power in August as US forces completed their withdrawal.
A first session between the two sides was held October 9-10 in the Qatari capital Doha, where US diplomats overseeing relations with Afghanistan transferred after the Taliban takeover.
West on Friday reiterated US conditions for the Taliban to receive US financial and diplomatic support; fight terrorism install an inclusive government, respect the rights of minorities, women, and girls, and provide equal access to educations and employment.
He said the United States would continue to have a dialogue with the Taliban and for now provide only humanitarian aid.
Amir Khan Muttaqi, foreign minister of the Taliban government, which is not recognised by the international community, called last week in an open letter to the US Congress for the release of Afghan assets frozen by the US.
News AddThis : Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements :
No comments