US urges Ghani to develop constructive position on peace proposals  

KABUL (Pajhwok): US Secretary Antony Blinken in a letter to President Ashraf Ghani presented four suggestions to accelerate efforts for peace process in Afghanistan

According to a letter circulating in the media one of the options is that UN should convene a meeting of foreign ministers and envoys from Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India and the US to discuss a unified approach to supporting peace in Afghanistan.

US envoy Khalilzad should share with President Ghani & the Taliban leaders written proposals “aimed at accelerating discussions on a negotiated settlement and ceasefire. These proposals reflect some of the ideas included in the roadmap for the peace process,” Blinken writes.

The US secretary of state says Turkey will be asked to host a senior-level meeting of both sides in the coming weeks to finalize a peace agreement. Blinken urges Ghani or his “authoritative designees” to attend the meeting.

There is revised proposal prepared for 90-day reduction in violence “to prevent a spring offensive by the Taliban…to coincide with diplomatic efforts to support a political settlement between the two parties.”

Blinken wrote to President Ghani in the letter that the United States has not ruled out any option regarding Afghanistan. “We are considering the full withdrawal of our forces by May as we consider other options,” he writes.

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