CENTCOM
PROFESSIONAL
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2010
- Messages
- 1,519
- Reaction score
- 34
- Country
- Location
We have pledged to the Afghan people, and to the world, that we will diligently work towards bringing stability and peace in Afghanistan. For this goal and for the benefit of the Afghans we have supported the Afghan government’s decision to hold peace negotiations with the Taliban. Let us make it clear, the reconciliation and reintegration is an Afghan led and Afghan initiated process and we support their decision. The peace negotiations can ultimately and solely be conducted by the Afghans themselves, when they choose to solve their differences through peaceful means rather than violence.
As our Secretary of State has said, “With whomever we talk, they have to abide by the following: They must renounce violence. They must renounce any and all ties to Al Qaeda. And most importantly, for the future of Afghanistan, they must commit to abide by the laws and constitution of Afghanistan, which protect the rights of ethnic minorities and women.
Unfortunately, there will be those terrorists who want to continue attacking innocent civilians to achieve their political goals. On the other hand, some are willing to abandon committing suicide attacks, bombing civilian infrastructure and indiscriminately killing innocent civilians. Therefore as our leaders have explained, “We’re going to fight where we need to fight. We will talk if there’s an opportunity to talk. And we will keep building towards a more secure, stable future for Afghanistan" .
Secretary Clinton also made it clear that there are some issues that cannot be compromised in these negotiations, “So I am very clear that I am not going to support any peace agreement that gives up the hard-won rights of the Afghan people. And in particular, I have a commitment to the women of Afghanistan.” Our commitment to the Afghan people and to the region is long standing. To achieve peace and stability for all, it is necessary to think of all possibilities. It is important to recognize that looking for alternative ways of achieving this goal is not a sign of weakness. It also does not mean that we have accepted defeat.
MAJ T.G. Taylor,
DET – U.S. Central Command
U.S. Central Command
As our Secretary of State has said, “With whomever we talk, they have to abide by the following: They must renounce violence. They must renounce any and all ties to Al Qaeda. And most importantly, for the future of Afghanistan, they must commit to abide by the laws and constitution of Afghanistan, which protect the rights of ethnic minorities and women.
Unfortunately, there will be those terrorists who want to continue attacking innocent civilians to achieve their political goals. On the other hand, some are willing to abandon committing suicide attacks, bombing civilian infrastructure and indiscriminately killing innocent civilians. Therefore as our leaders have explained, “We’re going to fight where we need to fight. We will talk if there’s an opportunity to talk. And we will keep building towards a more secure, stable future for Afghanistan" .
Secretary Clinton also made it clear that there are some issues that cannot be compromised in these negotiations, “So I am very clear that I am not going to support any peace agreement that gives up the hard-won rights of the Afghan people. And in particular, I have a commitment to the women of Afghanistan.” Our commitment to the Afghan people and to the region is long standing. To achieve peace and stability for all, it is necessary to think of all possibilities. It is important to recognize that looking for alternative ways of achieving this goal is not a sign of weakness. It also does not mean that we have accepted defeat.
MAJ T.G. Taylor,
DET – U.S. Central Command
U.S. Central Command