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US offers safety and job security to Taliban
WASHINGTON: Eager to persuade Taliban to join the Afghan peace process, the United States is offering them a safety network that includes creating job opportunities for the insurgents.
As the United States, Pakistan, China, Russia and other world powers expedite efforts to encourage the Taliban to join the Afghan peace process, the US Defence Department has also outlined a plan for rehabilitating the rebels in a new Afghanistan.
“Although some members of the Taliban may be weary of fighting and ready to lay down their weapons, they will only rejoin society if they believe their safety and the safety of their families are guaranteed, and if they have an opportunity to earn enough money to provide for their families,” says the plan that the Pentagon sent to Congress this week, along with proposals for addressing US security concerns and the interests of Afghanistan’s neighbours.
The Pentagon, however, notes that while local leaders are developing programmes that may offer a path to peace on a small scale, “the Afghan government has not developed a national reintegration programme”.
While the Trump administration appears keen to start withdrawing US forces from Afghanistan, the Pentagon advocates maintaining enough troops in Afghanistan to force the Taliban to join peace talks.
Over the past 16 months, the United States and its partners have used military force to drive the Taliban towards “a durable and inclusive political settlement”.
The Pentagon report claims that this selective use of force persuaded the Taliban to accept the Eidul Fitr ceasefire in June. Even though the Taliban did not publicly accept the second ceasefire offer, “there’re indicators of support within the Taliban senior leadership and a desire to pursue negotiations,” it adds.
The Pentagon also supports the peace process initiated by US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation (SRAR), Ambassador Zalmay Khalilizad, who has already held a series of meetings with Taliban in Qatar and the UAE and regularly visits Afghanistan and its neighbouring states, like Pakistan and India.
“Increased military pressure on the Taliban, international calls for peace, and the new SRAR’s engagements appear to be driving the Taliban to negotiations, says the Pentagon report.
The report, however, acknowledges that the Taliban control large portions of Afghanistan’s rural areas, and continue to attack poorly defended government checkpoints and rural districts.
A key element in the Pentagon’s proposal for persuading the Taliban to stay engaged in the peace process is to “ensure the long-term sustainability of the ANDSF”, which would “demonstrate to the Taliban the international communities’ firm resolve in Afghanistan”.
Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2018
Comments (110) Closed
Any avenue, any initiative that leads toward the hope of peace in this troubled country must not br discounted. Go US and point the way, then go home!
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
US can't be trusted. The world has seen it over and over.
A good move
Jobs? They fought their teeth out for 17 years to get jobs offered by Americans?
US offer. What a joke? The country belongs to Afghans. Majority of the Afghans don't want to see the Americans on their soil. Yes some people like Ashraf Ghani and company want them because they are only safe if Americans are there.
Only of they had realized this 10 years ago, now after killing hundred and thousands of lives , not easy.
Pointless.
The Afghan government will renege on all promises as soon as the Taliban put down their weapons.
The US has been offering bribes worth billions to the poor Taliban all these years and failed. What part of 'get out of my country yesterday' do these geniuses not understand?
After spending trillions they cane to the right track
From top enemy to top employee!
This is the funniest statement I have ever heard. Who employed them before US Invasion now that the US wants to re-employ them?
That is in the interest of everyone.
Afghan Taliban, they have job, create disturbance, make others follow their laws, assasinate who ever opposes them. Just carry a gun and walk around the streets.
"As the United States, Pakistan, China, Russia and other world powers expedite efforts to encourage the ......"
Pakistan, world power???? Makes me laugh at the self claimed importance.
What happened to previous doctrine of zero tolerance to Taliban?
Most Taliban are illiterate. Even some of the Afghan Army can’t even read or write. US is taking a hectic job to make them literate.
Offering "safety" and "job security" to TALIBAN??!! Great joke to end the year with :)
Soon everyone around Pakistan will have safe jobs. Blowing up citizens cannot be a full time job.
The Taliban want the foreign troops out of their country so that they can live in peace and adopt the islamic Sharia. They are not interested in the security and the jobs from the US. They just want ths US to leave them alone.They have been fighting for 17 years against all odds but never gave up their efforts. This is truely amazing.
A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still. - Samuel Butler
@reality bites, . . . . While Pakistan struggles with being relevant.
@Gordon D. Walker, based on history - US cannot be trusted. Just look at treatment of the native tribes.
Maybe If the USA didn't leave Afghanistan high and dry after the original Afghan War, the country wouldn't have been in such a mess.
I think the Taliban should offer safety and job security to the USA.
@Gordon D. Walker, we agree with you and support the peace process. Now the bloodshed should end.
Hope peace will come to Pakistan and Afghanistan
@Tamza,
Dear Tamza: I agree, the US can not be trusted, but they can be relied upon to act in their best interests; that interest is to reduce their financial losses and make a partial exit.
Gordon D. Walker Canada
This is the clearest admission of defeat in a war any country has ever put forth.
@Gordon D. Walker, USA is main trouble maker in the country, the more time it take to pull its troops, more embarrassment for them to follow.
@Rajesh, Don't worry, it will be a world power, sooner or later.
Looks like exactly 180 degrees U-turn
The Taliban can take care of their own safety. They don't need America's help in that regard. America should take care of its and get out of Afghanistan. It has no credibility in the region.
@Rajesh, that’s why India is not in the list!
No need any peace process until KHANZEER USA is here in afghinstan.
A good offer by USA. Taliban should grab it.
its like asking a wolf to go vegetarian
The damage done to Afghanistan couldn't be make however America shall take the lead in harmonising Afghanistan by installing a coalition govt led by Taliban who control the larger portion of the territory and shall leave after sending India home and paying a trillion dollar as compensation for the damage it's has done to the generations of Afghanistan. Peace is possible thus and only this.
Safety is understandable, but does "job security" mean hiring ex-taliban in Blackwater ?
The US did not understand the Afghan mind then ...... and they still don't understand them today.....but this move is step in the right direction.
thats nice. do not forget a health care plan, free dental for the kids, free housing and a retirement plan too.
@Rajesh, obviously there is nothing better you can say. Your Modi ji tried his best to settle in Afghanistan but feel sorry for you. Failed miserably
@Urwashi, maybe they shouldn't instead just leave
Talibans have got good training in "Haqania" university and track record of creating chaos, security issues in the neighborhood. Now with the new jobs offered by USA in Afghanistan, would be interesting to see for whom Talibans will create headache now?
@Wellwisher, ...by a bad player
It's the matter of fact that world forces like USA come to knees when countered by strong forces and this reconciliation is also a bare truth that USA has lost the ground there
@Asif Iqbal , These Americans only in Afghan to steal resources. They need to leave along with their puppets.
This is absolutely a right decision towards right direction
@Wellwisher, always a good move to bring stability to any country tottering on breaking up. One has to be optimistic and accept the American initiative. After all it is nothing like bringing in more troops and seeking peace from the barell of the gun, so go ahead and give peace a chance
Taliban will not accept anything short of a complete withdrawal of foreign forces from their land. This coupled with heavy compensation may work. They may not be interested in jobs etc. Let peace return whatever the cost.
The initiative is in the right direction but the problem is that these people are uneducated, radicalized, probably enjoy fighting and mostly not ready to leave their way of life. They are probably getting better perks by threatening, fighting or through intel agencies of neighbours. It will be as herculean a task as fighting them. It may give a break to the US for a few years, but in all probabilities, they will have to return to fight them.
@Rajesh, India is rapidly becoming irrelevant in Afghanistan. So keep laughing. You can’t change geography.
The tone of this is again very one sided, peace is always better, however, Afghanistan should be the one running the show not US. Why is US in Afghanistan at the first place again ?
It almost seems like US will take over Afghanistan's economy too, is that why they were there at the first place ?
@Gordon D. Walker, don't forget this peace started with a ruthless war and with millions killed. Who is going to be accountable for that ?
@Rajesh, Pakistan is not interested in being called world power rather we enjoy spinning those who called themselves world power and those wishful of becoming world power.
@Gordon D. Walker, US would not make any exit from the region. Exit mean giving Iran the way to become Policeman of the region.
The Afghan people are the most underestimated from centuries. So, if somebody is offering them for brighter future, it is infact they want to have their own present security.The so called peace maker countries should keep themselfs away from these fire game.
@Fastrack, : US seems to have found Iraq more hospitable than Afghanistan. Trump seems to agree with the idea of Iraqi alternative bit it will happen only after Pakistan problem is resolved.
This initiative is in the best interest of all Afghans. The Taliban leaders are astute and they know that they cannot alienate large segments of Afghanistan by refusing this reasonable offer.
The best thing that can happen in Afghanistan is that USA leave this land, because they are the source of this mayhem there.
Since the end of World War One, more than 100 years ago, please name a single country, land, area, sea, soil or territory, completely, unequivocally and unconditionally vacated by the U.S. armed forces, which it had militarily attacked, invaded, held and occupied?
Everyone who is wishing a taliban government on Afghanistan, I wish lives under them for a couple of years This is hypocrisy at its vilest Sometimes to make a point you fall to such depths.. shame on all of you....
I dont think the Afghan govt wants peace. That would dry up the dollars for the corrupt few at the top.
@sukhera,
The Taliban can’t rule the country without foreign aid, they will need the largesse of US and its coalition partners to bankroll their nation. The sad reality of underdeveloped third world countries is that they need patrons with deep pockets to stay in power.
@Manav, Does it pay well?
I hope it work out for the sake of peace in the region but remember that Mulla Omer and his team vacated Afghanistan because they stand on their prinicpals. Afghans are not as easy as it seems from the captioned of the article.
@Manav: that's actually US
@Urwashi, I think your country will be tested for its true friendship with Afghan govt once US leaves. Keep those visa offices open. The good thing is you have so many of them.
Congratulations to Mr Imran Khan for his stand and it is true that millitory is not the solution for Afghanistan.
@Akram, We don't wish to be.
Our interest is that it is not used against from the so called land of the pure.And we let them choose their destiny.
How about Pakistan?
Are you useful them? Do you really care them?
@Asif Iqbal , What you mean by that . Is Afghanistan is a oil rich country in order to loot by USA. This is the best offer.
@Najma Hisham, they are saving that for the next press conference
Yep Iraq is still benefiting from Safety and job security after a decade of freedom by US with huge oil resources. The results are for all to see
@Rajesh, ask your ancestors and they will tell you about the Pak Power!
Well done US.
Businessmen don't need jobs!
@Zulfiqar, yes and Pakistan is the reason!
It is a good offer, recognizing their valid status made economic disater of rivals. But they also want departure of foreign forces from their sweet home.
@Bps, no doubt. This is not only defeat for US but victory for Pak as well.
@JA-Australia,
Taliban should know that US keeps it's promises, the aid agreement with Pakistan and the nuclear agreement with Iran are shining examples.
@Gordon D. Walker,
How about end their financial losses and make a full exit.
A pretty childish proposal. Another indication that the US Defence Department is clueless about what the Taliban may be willing to accept after 17 years (and one trillion dollars of Ametican Tax Payer hard-earned money)
Why do US think that taliban need jobs?i think they didnt waste 17 years for jobs
They can't offer the same to their own citizens.
US continues to act like it owns Afghanistan.
Very unusual assurance by the US. How can they assure their safety when they are already on their way out of Afghanistan?
So the united states does deal with those they label as terrorists. How the mighty fall
America cannot be trusted. They havnt invested enough in developing Afghanistan and will back stab them by not leaving. Afghans need assurance.
Which job Taliban will do ???
Shouldn’t US be asking for safety from Taliban? Is this a joke,
What a great idea! Invade a country and then offer jobs to those who resist and then rule forever
Despite repeatedly beseeching by US to Taliban to come to negotiating table, Taliban has already won battle on the ground.
Business of America is Business is really implemented by a businessman president Trump.
Its Taliban's country they do not need job and security form a nation thousands of miles!
@HonorBright, ... They have been employed by US for the last few decades. The new offer is just a promotion.
This is "victory" for Taliban, for last 17 years the US called them terrorists and fought with them, but failed to defeat them militarily. Taliban are Afghans who must be included in future government for achieving peace.
Nothing short of a complete and immediate exit of US forces would suffice at this point. Afghans are freedom loving people and will not tolerate any western presence at all! However, to fill the power vacuum after the exit, an interim UN force composed of friendly Muslim countries can remain in Afghanistan until a permanent settlement is achieved.
Reality is different. Last fifteen years every single peace process is sabotage by USA. First USA brings everyone to table and then start killing them. Like Britain in 18 and 19 centuries made peace to break peace. Donald Trump want peace but generals don’t. As Mattis is one of the best examples. As there is so much glory to fight very poor people and country with no match. Or use them as practice war fields. What a shame. Donald Trump made a very good and human decision to end the war.
Another failed policy. US has still not learnt. Want a solution, ask Pakistan, otherwise no hope for US.
@Girdhari,
US will coopt and bankroll the Taliban, thus binding them to lucrative deals in the extraction process of Afghanistan’s numerous natural resources. US is not leaving without a footprint behind, it would be naive to think otherwise.
Just give them American passports. Once on American soil they will find the "jobs".
The US never learns does it? Not even from its own mistakes training armies in Syria and Afghanistan that turned against it The US has no idea of the psyche of the Taliban and the tribals of that area Enough said.
US since it's rise to a global power has promised many things to numerous nations, the growth of cotton in Afghanistan in textures where poppy is vastly cultivated was blocked by the US as it would've competed with the US originated cotton in the international market. Pleasing hearts and mind is one thing and seeing it through in practice is another. US would never stake it's bid without national interests being served and ultimatums met. The change must be brought about from inside the Taliban's hiarchy.
Everyone is fooling every one else.
@Rajesh, Only one misinformed country laugh because they themselves are laughed at. But all others come to Pakistan to solve regional problems , no one goes to your country. Still living in denial of reality.
@Khan Wali, It already is a regional power.
@Kumar, Kashmir resolution is where peace initiative must start.
‘The report, however, acknowledges that the Taliban control large portions of Afghanistan’s rural areas, and continue to attack poorly defended government checkpoints and rural districts.’
70% to be exact. So they do not need Pakistan territory for a base. There goes US accusations , now to find another excuse.
Could any one tell Nawaz Sharif that whatever one sows has to reap the same.
good opportunity for pakistan to hire some pakistani to gets a some strategic info about foreign agencies
know taliban well teach you lesson poor indains.it is good opportunity for indains to beg from pakistan and stop innocent ppl killing in Kashmir.