Featured Afghanistan Peace Process

Haris Ali2140 · Mar 9, 2020

https://twitter.com/x/status/1237037417628143617

H. Dawary · Mar 9, 2020

Updated Mar 09, 2020 08:00am
US, Russia not to accept ‘Islamic emirate’ in Afghanistan
ANWAR IQBAL

WASHINGTON: The United States and Russia have agreed to work together to ensure that the international community does not accept or support the restoration of the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan”.

In a joint statement released by the US State Department in Washington earlier this weekend, the United States and Russia also welcomed the Taliban’s commitment to “a political process and their prospective role in a new post-settlement Afghan Islamic government as determined by the intra-Afghan negotiations”.

But they “reaffirmed that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is not recognised by the international community and at the United Nations, and furthermore, the international community will not accept or support the restoration of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan”.

On Saturday, the Taliban issued a statement as well, insisting that it’s their duty to restore the “Islamic government” that existed before US forces toppled their government in Kabul in 2001. But they too avoided using the term, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

American representatives drafted a joint statement in Doha on Feb 28, a day before signing a peace deal with the Taliban.

Taliban vow to restore ‘Islamic’ govt that existed before US forces toppled their rule

The deal calls for an intra-Afghan dialogue to create a new administrative setup in Kabul and lays down conditions for the ultimate withdrawal of all 14,000 US and Nato troops from Afghanistan.

The Taliban, however, insisted that their leader Mullah Haibatullah was “the only legal ruler of Afghanistan” and after the withdrawal of foreign forces from the country, they were duty-bound to restore an “Islamic government” in Afghanistan, a term also used in the US-Russia joint statement.

The Taliban said the Doha agreement aimed at ending 19 years of war in Afghanistan, but it “will have no impact” on their “legitimate claims”.

In the joint statement, the United States and Russia expressed readiness for commencement of intra-Afghan negotiations to “review the status of sanctions designations” on Taliban leaders “in order to support the peace process”.

But they also noted that Taliban action to further reduce violence and otherwise cease to “engage in or support activities that threaten the peace, stability and security of Afghanistan or other countries will affect the review”.

The two countries encouraged all countries to support the Afghan people and contribute to a lasting peace settlement in the interest of all.

They pledged to work with the Kabul government, Afghan political leaders, civil society and the Taliban to “bring about a comprehensive and sustainable peace agreement that ends the war and contributes to regional stability and global security”.

They also reiterated that a “comprehensive and sustainable peace can be achieved only through an inclusive negotiated political settlement among Afghans”.

The joint statement appreciated the Feb 22-28 reduction of violence in Afghanistan and urged all sides to further scale down violence in order to create an environment conducive to intra-Afghan negotiations.

Russia and the United States called on the Taliban and other Afghan groups to take concrete steps to ensure that the territory of Afghanistan was not used by Al Qaeda, the militant Islamic State group or other international terrorist groups to threaten or attack other countries.

They said they expected all sides would observe a ceasefire for the duration of intra-Afghan negotiations to enable participants to reach agreement on a political roadmap for the country’s future and the modalities of a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire.

They called on all Afghans to begin discussions immediately on issues of mutual concern, such as prisoner releases and a ceasefire.

Washington and Moscow pledged to provide political support and economic assistance to a future Afghan government if it respects the rights of all Afghans, including women, youth and minorities.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2020

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dawn.com/news/amp/1539436

The Russians are afraid of a domino effect in the Central Asian republics once the Islamic Emirate is established. Pakistan please give us your full support in total takeover, anything less we will not accept except that the Taliban are the dominant faction.

CrazyZ · Mar 9, 2020

Hakim Dawary said:
Updated Mar 09, 2020 08:00am
US, Russia not to accept ‘Islamic emirate’ in Afghanistan
ANWAR IQBAL

WASHINGTON: The United States and Russia have agreed to work together to ensure that the international community does not accept or support the restoration of the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan”.

In a joint statement released by the US State Department in Washington earlier this weekend, the United States and Russia also welcomed the Taliban’s commitment to “a political process and their prospective role in a new post-settlement Afghan Islamic government as determined by the intra-Afghan negotiations”.

But they “reaffirmed that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is not recognised by the international community and at the United Nations, and furthermore, the international community will not accept or support the restoration of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan”.

On Saturday, the Taliban issued a statement as well, insisting that it’s their duty to restore the “Islamic government” that existed before US forces toppled their government in Kabul in 2001. But they too avoided using the term, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

American representatives drafted a joint statement in Doha on Feb 28, a day before signing a peace deal with the Taliban.

Taliban vow to restore ‘Islamic’ govt that existed before US forces toppled their rule

The deal calls for an intra-Afghan dialogue to create a new administrative setup in Kabul and lays down conditions for the ultimate withdrawal of all 14,000 US and Nato troops from Afghanistan.

The Taliban, however, insisted that their leader Mullah Haibatullah was “the only legal ruler of Afghanistan” and after the withdrawal of foreign forces from the country, they were duty-bound to restore an “Islamic government” in Afghanistan, a term also used in the US-Russia joint statement.

The Taliban said the Doha agreement aimed at ending 19 years of war in Afghanistan, but it “will have no impact” on their “legitimate claims”.

In the joint statement, the United States and Russia expressed readiness for commencement of intra-Afghan negotiations to “review the status of sanctions designations” on Taliban leaders “in order to support the peace process”.

But they also noted that Taliban action to further reduce violence and otherwise cease to “engage in or support activities that threaten the peace, stability and security of Afghanistan or other countries will affect the review”.

The two countries encouraged all countries to support the Afghan people and contribute to a lasting peace settlement in the interest of all.

They pledged to work with the Kabul government, Afghan political leaders, civil society and the Taliban to “bring about a comprehensive and sustainable peace agreement that ends the war and contributes to regional stability and global security”.

They also reiterated that a “comprehensive and sustainable peace can be achieved only through an inclusive negotiated political settlement among Afghans”.

The joint statement appreciated the Feb 22-28 reduction of violence in Afghanistan and urged all sides to further scale down violence in order to create an environment conducive to intra-Afghan negotiations.

Russia and the United States called on the Taliban and other Afghan groups to take concrete steps to ensure that the territory of Afghanistan was not used by Al Qaeda, the militant Islamic State group or other international terrorist groups to threaten or attack other countries.

They said they expected all sides would observe a ceasefire for the duration of intra-Afghan negotiations to enable participants to reach agreement on a political roadmap for the country’s future and the modalities of a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire.

They called on all Afghans to begin discussions immediately on issues of mutual concern, such as prisoner releases and a ceasefire.

Washington and Moscow pledged to provide political support and economic assistance to a future Afghan government if it respects the rights of all Afghans, including women, youth and minorities.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2020

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dawn.com/news/amp/1539436

The Russians are afraid of a domino effect in the Central Asian republics once the Islamic Emirate is established. Pakistan please give us your full support in total takeover, anything less we will not accept except that the Taliban are the dominant faction.

I think the nightmare for the USA is a repeat of the fall of Saigon. No doubt there will be carrot and stick offered so this doesn't happen.

H. Dawary · Mar 9, 2020

CrazyZ said:
I think the nightmare for the USA is a repeat of the fall of Saigon. No doubt there will be carrot and stick offered so this doesn't happen.

It will happen InshAllah, but they want to prevent it. Russia is against it, Iran is against it, USA is against it, even the northern central Asian republics are against it, and worst of all India is against it. They want us to remain democratic banana republic so our country can become a prostitution resort. Pakistan is our last and true ally, and hopefully if we succeed with this, then InshAllah we will help you in Kashmir.

Haris Ali2140 · Mar 9, 2020

https://twitter.com/x/status/1237051098655084556

https://twitter.com/x/status/1237047973802061824

Haris Ali2140 · Mar 10, 2020

https://twitter.com/x/status/1237314081952075777

Haris Ali2140 · Mar 10, 2020

US Opposes Parallel Govt in Afghanistan: Pompeo
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a tweet late Monday said that the US strongly supports a unified and sovereign Afghanistan and “opposes any effort to establish a parallel government or any use of force to resolve political differences.”

The US peace envoy for Afghanistan Khalilzad also tweeted: “I spent much of the last week trying to help President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah to come to an agreement on an inclusive and broadly accepted government. We will continue to assist.”

“In their remarks today, both leaders made clear that they are open to negotiations to end the political crisis and that peace and reconciliation is the priority,” Khalilzad said.

The US State Department also said in a statement that the United States is engaged "in intensive efforts for peace" in Afghanistan.

The US statements also condemned Monday’s “terrorist attack” in Kabul.

“We welcome President Ghani’s statement at his inauguration March 9 that discussions and negotiations will continue for the next two weeks to come to an agreement on an inclusive government which unifies the country and prioritizes peace,” the statement said.

“We also welcome President Ghani’s announcement that he will issue a decree March 10 on Taliban prisoner release and the formation of a national team for intra-Afghan negotiations. We appreciate Dr. Abdullah’s statement March 9 underscoring similar commitments to peace and inclusivity,” it said.

“Conscious of the yearning of the Afghan people for peace, the United States is working to achieve an agreement by the two sides and will remain steadfast in the effort to drive all parties toward that goal,” the US State Department said.

On Monday, Ashraf Ghani, at a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, was sworn in as president for a second term.

The US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, US Chargé d’Affaires Ross Wilson, and US, NATO forces commander Gen. Scott Miller, as well as ambassadors from the EU, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Germany, Norway attended the ceremony.

Ghani was announced the winner by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) amid controversy involving technical problems and allegations of fraud.

Abdullah, citing "fraud" in the process, also held a swearing-ceremony for himself on Monday.

The dual swearing-ceremonies on Monday were delayed for several hours in order to allow for further attempts to end the crisis, but the ceremonies went ahead after apparently no progress was made.

Abdullah held his parallel swearing-in ceremony at Sapedar Palace in Kabul, took an oath of office and vowed to establish an inclusive government, focusing on peace and governance reforms.

Abdullah, while opposed to a power-sharing deal similar to the National Unity Government’s agreement in 2014, said he is nonetheless interested in talks to solve tensions.

Sources told TOLOnews that Ghani offered Abdullah a 40% share in power, but the two sides could not reach an agreement despite efforts by Afghan and foreign politicians ahead of the dual swearing-in ceremonies in Kabul.

During the twin swearing-in ceremonies, at least three rockets were fired and one landed inside the Presidential Palace, damaging a vehicle. President Ghani addressed did not stop his speech in the midst of the rocket attack. Daesh has since claimed responsibility for the attacks.

https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/us-opposes-parallel-govt-afghanistan-pompeo