Afghan govt shows tremendous flexibility for peace

KABUL of the Afghan government’s proposals to end the conflict.

President Ashraf Ghani unfolded the strategy at the second round of a conference of officials from countries in the Kabul Process aimed at creating a platform for talks to end the more than one and a half decade old war.

The president said there were no preconditions for talks with the Taliban and it had been agreed to issue passports to Taliban and provide residences for their families and allow them access to the media.

The Afghan leader called central capital Kabul as the best suited place for peace talks, but added the parleys could take place in an impartial Islamic country, in the UN office and or any other third country.

The second round of the Kabul Process conference was attended by representatives from more than 25 countries and international organizations.

In his opening remarks, President Ghani said consensuses were needed to overcome threats and implement the UN counterterrorism strategy. He emphasized on fixing standards for countries who used terrorists as proxies to reach their political goals.

Addressing the conference participants, the president said: “We are united not because our objectives are the same but we have joint benefits and opportunities to prosper.”

“We have never threatened our neighbors and will not allow other countries to use our soil against others,” said the president,  who added: “We are trying to have a normal and peaceful life here (in Afghanistan), something we are deprived of.”

Ghani said Afghanistan was trying to revive its past position when the country served as  Asia’s square. He said in the past some believed Afghanistan would remain landlocked and dependent on others, but new trans-regional projects turned Afghanistan’s  same location into a golden opportunity.

The president said peace was a religious and national duty and for peace uprising all the Afghan segments, the government and the High Peace Council leaders, politicians and all.

“The peace doctrine of the people and the government of Afghanistan is based on the Quranic instructions which call on us to do favor on those who harm you.”

The president said embracing peace required courage and conditions for peace had improved and the Afghans’ support for the reconciliation process gave spirit to hopes in this regard.

Ghani said the peace deal with the Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan, led by Gulbadin Hekmatyar, had been a successful experiment which vindicated the determination of Afghans for peace.

International emphasize on peace would ultimately impact the resolve of those hell-bent on fighting and consensus among regional countries on the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan would ensure the sustainability of peace.

He said religious scholars on international level had rejected violence, something that had positive impact on peace’s durability.

“The national unity government has put forward proposals for peace to the Taliban, in which all high interests of Afghanistan and the rights of all citizens including women are secured. The proposals guarantee prevention of all terrorist groups and criminals gangs.”

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