A govt imposed on Afghans won’t be accepted: US

KABUL (Pajhwok): In a not-so-veiled warning to the Taliban, the United States says the global fraternity will not accept a government imposed by force in Afghanistan.

Separately, a new intelligence report warned the current administration in Kabul could collapse within six months after the US military pullout from Afghanistan.

The State Department spokesperson indicated at news briefing that America’s financial assistance would continue only if Afghanistan had a legitimate government recognised by all parties.

Commenting on recent territorial gains by the militant group, Ned Price said: “The world will not accept the imposition by force of a government in Afghanistan.”

Pakistani newspaper Sawn quoted the spokesperson as saying: “You’ve heard this from Ambassador (Zalmay) Khalilzad; you’ve heard this from Secretary (Antony) Blinken and others.”

Price added: “Legitimacy and assistance for any Afghan government can only be possible if that government has respect for human rights, if that government has credibility, if that government has legitimacy…”

The Wall Street Journal reported the US intelligence community had informed the Biden administration that the government of Afghanistan “could collapse as soon as six months after the American military withdrawal” from the country.

The newspaper reported US intelligence agencies had revised their previously more optimistic estimates as the Taliban swept through northern Afghanistan last week.

PAN Monitoring/mud