CENTCOM chief defends US-Taliban negotiations

KABUL representatives.

According to a global news website, CENTCOM commander Gen. Joseph Votel, testifying before a Senate panel on Tuesday, defended the US-Taliban meetings.

Defencenews.com quoted Votel as saying the US recognized the Afghan government must be part of a resolution and was consulted. Kabul has been excluded from the talks so far.

“I would characterize where we are as very, very early in the process,” Votel remarked, saying Khalilzad was creating “a framework by which we can move forward with discussions, that would be certainly involving the Afghan government.”

President Donald Trump had not consulted him on troop withdrawal from Afghanistan and Syria, said the commander. “I was not consulted.”

In December, Trump abruptly tweeted plans for a US pullout from Syria and Afghanistan. He said the Islamic State group had been defeated.

But the CENTCOM chief warned the Islamic State would continue to pose a threat even after a US withdrawal. The rebel group retained leaders, fighters, facilitators and resources, he added.

PAN Monitor/mud

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