Saleh, Abdullah differently respond to Blinken letter

KABUL (Pajhwok): Vice President Amrullah Saleh, High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) chairman Abdullah Abdullah and Presidential Advisor Mohammad Mohaqiq have reacted to a letter of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Addressing a gathering marking the 7^th death anniversary of former Vice President Marshal QasimFahim Vice President Saleh said: “Our poverty and economic difficulties never mean we shall accept the unrealistic demands of the world.”

“We are thankful to the US and western countries for their help and sacrifices in Afghanistan. They have the right to hold conferences, talk to the Taliban and send letters to us but this is our right not to compromise on the future of 35 million people.”

Referring to the US secretary of state letter, he said: “Our relationship with the western world is based on shared interest and mutual respect. When we feel that these interests are going to be undermined and the factor of mutual respect is getting harmed we will let our nation know.”

He said: “Although we are economically down but we are a dignified nation and we shall never feel ourselves smaller than others, we will never compromise on our dignity.”

Saleh continued: “We held two days of talks with the Americans and we told them that we will never compromise on the right of the people of Afghanistan. We will never compromise on our main subjects,”.

Referring to the creation of High Council of Shariat, he said: “Now two Mullahs from Haqania Madressa will come and teach this nation Islam. Our identity is Imam-e-Abu Hanifa, we will never sign such document even if I stay alone.”

HCNR chairman Abdullah Abdullah said: “I don’t defend or acknowledge US foreign secretary letter, but this letter talks about national consensus and acceleration of peace process.”

He said peace was priority of people of Afghanistan who daily offered and added the country was going through a political turmoil.

He added the letter was handed over to him and President Ghani by US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad during his recent trip and it was leaked to the media from some sources.

Abdullah said Afghanistan was an independent country and stressed proper representation of the nation. He added the point of accelerating peace efforts in the letter reflected the wishes of the people of Afghanistan.

Abdullah said the US secretary of state referred to the method how to establish peace and said the ball was now in the court of Afghan leadership to decide they want peace or not!

nh/ma