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Washington, Kabul publicly disagree over talks with Taliban
WASHINGTON: Differences between the US and Afghan governments over the peace talks became public this week after a senior Afghan official criticised Washington for talking to the Taliban while the Trump administration summoned him to the State Department to convey its displeasure.
“Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale summoned Afghan National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib today to reject the public comments attributed to Mr Mohib criticising the US approach to reconciliation,” State Department deputy spokesman Robert Palladino said after the meeting between the two officials.
On Thursday, Mr Mohib blasted US Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad, accusing him of weakening the Afghan government so that he could become Afghanistan’s viceroy. He also said that holding talks with the Taliban amounted to dishonouring the 9/11 victims and hundreds of US troops who lost their lives.
It is rare that a senior visiting official of another government is summoned by the US State Department in this manner. US media reports claimed that US National Security Adviser John Bolton also refused to meet his Afghan counterpart because of his remarks to the media.
At the State Department, Mr Mohib was informed that his remarks could hurt the efforts to restore peace to the war-ravaged country.
The fifth round of peace talks between US and Taliban delegations ended in Doha, Qatar, this week with both sides agreeing to meet again to sort out their differences.
Mr Khalilzad, who led the US team in Doha, said the talks focused on four key points: “counter-terrorism assurances, troop withdrawal, intra-Afghan dialogue, and a comprehensive ceasefire”. While there seems to be an understanding on the first two points, the Taliban are refusing to hold talks with the Afghan government and appear reluctant to enforce a comprehensive ceasefire.
Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2019
Comments (56) Closed
This was expected. Afghan government under India influence never want Taliban to become part of government because India will loose grip and terrorism they are doing through Afghanistan in Pakistan will not achieve further.
Well I agree to Mr Mohib.....for a long lasting solution all sides must be involved.....nobody wants another civil war in Afghanistan after US troops leave.....
First of all I want say that you don’t slap the hand that feed you. Second, it is not him instead it is Indian frustration he is uttering. Indian leadership knows now that India and it’s agents role in Afghanistan is coming to an end so India is using this guy but US has smarten up and realize now that India and Indian agents have taken US for a ride in Afghanistan.
First thing for them to do is to follow the footsteps of Hamid Karzai.. Book a place in New Delhi
I sense an imminent US withdrawal - and tend to agree with the comment as ZK has always being an arrogant person
“On Thursday, Mr Mohib blasted US Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad, accusing him of weakening the Afghan government so that he could become Afghanistan’s viceroy. ”
Let Taliban fight elections and prove it's popularity.
Afghans are trying to bite the hand that feeds them.
His salary is paid by USA and he is questioning his masters?
The reason Kabul disagrees with the peace process, US and Taliban is because they are fed big money from the Regional Terror/War monger called India.
Unfortunate a govt which came into power under the fire of US guns, us criticizing their lord.. Unfortunate
And Mr.Afghanistan what about the killing of hundreds of thousands innocent Afghan people during this endless War between US army and Afghan people? ??? People like you are not actually in favour of peace, prosperity and well being of Afghan people. . Afghanistan is suffering from War since 5 decades and it is entirely due to ill thought people like you. . Please be focus to bring peace and prosperity in your country.
It is not Mohib, It is the US establishment talking using Mohib's mouth.
Well it id natural
It is so natural for Afghan government to cry about it, peace mean, no more of billions and billions of our tax dollars in aids. This was simple equation, dont know why it took us so long to understand.
Factually say washing tons (Washington) & Delhi disagree to have an Afghanistan as per public wishes and Pakistan friendly.
Well done Hamdullah Mohib! It’s important that all stakeholders express their views and participate in honest negotiations. Backdoor dealings will not succeed.
Afghan officials have legitimate right to object...but they have to wait until crucial demand of Taliban is met...which is NATO troops withdrawl.
Kabul who?
The Afgan government is an important satkeholder and no peace effort can become successful unless they are taken into confidence.
@Zeeshan, agree
US is throwing elected Afghan Unity Govt under the bridge. Very sad, 45000 Afghans paid the ultimate price to be part of the modern world & freedom since 2104. Mohib is true son of the soil & is doing the right by not signing on the peace(surrender) documents.
US is stuck.
Involvement and ownership of the process by the Afghan Government is mandatory for a lasting and peaceful solution.
"David Hale summoned Afghan National Security Adviser" sums up legitimacy of Afghan government
Terriorist does not have religion..we condemn them this incident
Mohib also called the US and Taliban negotiations as "Surrendered Discussions,which is a slap on the face of Americans.Any talks without the full representation of all segments of Afghan society will be considered as a joke with Afghans.
The beginning of democracy in Afghanistan.
Now the puppets will start talking. No matter the cost.
@Prateik,
'Let Taliban fight elections and prove it's popularity.'
The legitimacy of elections are in the eye of the beholder. I don't think there are many examples in this world where any country recognizes the result of an election if it isn't to their liking.
"He also said that holding talks with the Taliban amounted to dishonouring the 9/11 victims and hundreds of US troops who lost their lives." Like seriously? Even the CIA has confessed that Afghans were not involved in the 9/11 attacks. Watch "Afghanistan - Price for Revenge" documentary.
Timing is more important to finalize the agreement. the sooner the better
@AH,
You didn't spend billions and billions, India did. You spent a trillion. Just a bad investment.
Taliban should never be allowed to manage to occupy the rule by backdoor through terror tactics
The current Afghan government will have a single digit percentage role in the new setup.
Hamdullah Mohib is a stooge of Ashraf Ghani, the Mayor & Abdullah Abdullah the deputy Mayor of Kabul. Actually, their voice doesn't matter, what matters is US state dept.
When a match is fixed before hand,it's very difficult to digest for a losing team.
I think it's endless war where will go this talk but im looking there is no place for america in afghanistan now taliban has already visited Russia and Russia will support taliban to thrown out america like america did to the ussr
They do not want peace because they want the US tax payer to continue funding them. Easy money.
@Ali Kazmi, My bad brother, i agree with you. My billions was just figure of speech. And i know the actual is un countable.
War is a profitable business, prosperity of certain groups depends on it. So they are making obligatory noise.
@Ali Kazmi, excuse me?
In a rational scenario, an international peace keeping force should be deployed and elections held to determine the people's choice. The Taliban will obviously not agree as it depends on terror. Trump may want to withdraw but his method is not helping anyone.
Yes they don’t want talks because the flow of aid will stop and they have to share power.
@abdullah, it’s for Afghanistan to decide what it wants.
This guy needw to open is eyes..75 percent of afghanistan is under taliban control and he is confined to his 4x 4 walls in kabul and making demands. 17 years they have been on american payroll wasting american tax payers money and backing usa to also provide them security. Why cant he convience india to get their boots on the ground once us leaves?
The high level drama doesn't impress the world at all. Taking opposite sides in dealing with the Taliban clearly shows that all the peace efforts are merely to gain more time to secure sympathies of some factions of the Taliban as well as more from the world which is getting weary of this drama.
Pakistan can mediate to come a consensus
Corrupt Afghan Govt, want to continue their plundering. Peace in Afghanistan is not their priority, selfish and shameless people
Afghanistan is in turmoil since 1950’s and they will never change. Bad news for neighbors & international community.
It is beginning to become clear that, Indian agents were fighting real Afghans in the guise of Taliban. There are several photographs available on media, showing undeniable proofs of it.
Taliban must talk to Afghan government for counter terrorism assurance and for total peace..
Americans have more respect for the Taliban then for the Kabul government. They meet Taliban reps one to one and don't even bother to inform Kabul. US will decide amd sign.
The Muslim-hater Trump wants Afghans to be ruled by his Afghan kins.
@Prateik, there is video on YouTube posted by Al Jazeera. It shows Talibans taking control of abandoned US base. You know why US abandoned that base? It is because Talibans could speak and understand the language of local which even Afghan army couldn't do. Talibans are loved and supported by locals. No insurgent group can survive and hold territories without the support of locals. Can Taliban come and hold territories in Delhi? The local will oppose them and support Indian army.
What chances are there that US would let them. There are hundreds of examples where US interfered in other countries elections. South America is the living proof of that.
Why are people surprised with the fact they US want to get out of Afghanistan? Stop believing in that 'US is world police story'. They are also a country just like any other who pursue their interest. US calls Talibans terrorist while it uses warlords to maintain control in the area. No women is taking part in Afghanistan election. I don't see how the present regime is any different from Talibans. warlords are also blames of violating human rights.
US will never abandon Afghan govt at this critical time. If they do, it will be hard to gain trust of any ally in future. There is a high chance all types of militant groups will shift base into East and South Afghanistan again.