KABUL (Pajhwok): US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has stoutly supported President Donald Trump’s drawdown of troops from Afghanistan.
Every US administration had tried to withdraw forces from the war-torn country, Pompeo tweeted on Saturday.
But he credited the outgoing US leader for forging peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government. “We did it. Don’t just take my word for it.”
Pompeo added America’s mission in Afghanistan was to vanquish the Al-Qaeda network and threats to the US homeland.
The secretary believed: “Don’t need tens of thousands of US troops on the ground to do that. We have partners: brave Afghans, NATO forces. We also have the ability to project power from afar.”
He went on to commend peace negotiations between the Afghan government and Taliban, which are to resume on Jan. 5.
Following 10 rounds of tough negotiations in Qatar, the US and Taliban signed a peace deal on February 29, 2020.
Under the pact, US troops will have to leave Afghanistan and the Taliban promised cutting their ties to Al-Qaeda and other terrorist outfits.
Pompeo hailed the US-Taliban pact as successful, saying no American soldier had been killed in Afghanistan in almost a year.
“Afghans are finally discussing peace and reconciliation among themselves. Such incredible progress,” remarked the secretary.
PAN Monitor/mud
