Spoilers always try to disrupt peace talks: Khalilzad

KABUL (Pajhwok): US Special Representative for Afghan Peace Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad has said spoilers always try to disrupt the peace process.

In a series of tweets, Khalilzad said: “As peace talks near, spoilers are becoming more desperate in their attempt to disrupt this historic opportunity. The attack on Amrullah Saleh’s convoys is the latest example.”

While denouncing Wednesday’s bombing in Kabul, the diplomat wrote: “Luckily, he (Saleh) survived. Tragically, this terrorist attack killed and wounded many bystanders.”

He said history had shown that when the opportunity for peace was close, spoilers would go to any extent to try and stop it. However, the Afghans were not walking into their trap, he added.

“Afghans know a successful peace process is the only antidote to the country's protracted conflict. Their widespread yearning for peace will be for the two negotiating teams and their leaders' to satisfy,” the envoy continued.

sa/mud