Russia faults US decision on DAB reserves

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Biden administration’s decision to transfer 3.5 billion dollars from the Afghan central bank’s reserves to the Afghan Fund is in conflict with international law, Russia says.

The Russian embassy in Washington wrote on its Telegram channel on Wednesday: "We have taken notice of the statement by the US Department of State and Department of Treasury regarding establishment of the Afghan Fund …”

In line with the expected US move, $3.5 billion of Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) reserves will be transferred to the newly-established fund.

The decision was contrary to calls from Americans, humanitarian and human rights organisations and prominent international economists, the embassy alleged.

“We consider this step contradicts international law and violates sovereignty of a foreign state,” the embassy said.

It added the Afghans reserved the right to independently manage the assets belonging to them without any external control.

The embassy believed such US actions, no matter which humanitarian mottos it used as a smokescreen, would only exacerbate the Afghan people’s misery.

It asked Washington to return DAB assets and stop using colonial practices with regard to sovereign states.

mud