Pressure tactics futile, Kabir tells British diplomat

KABUL (Pajhwok): The British chargé d'affaires has met some Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) officials on cooperation between the two sides on different issues.

The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum says Robert Dixon met Acting Minister Mines and Petroleum Sheikh Shahabuddin Delawar.

Both sides emphasised on good bilateral ties and discussed matters of mutual interest, a statement from the ministry said.

The minister said security had been enforced the country, a sovereign government has launched a reconciliation process.

Delawar added a general amnesty had been announced for all Afghans, who could return to their homeland and live there with dignity.

He also highlighted IEA’s efforts for the elimination of corruption, narcotics, rounding up four million addicts for rehabilitation, taking biometric of beggars and providing them monthly aid stipends.

The minister also spoke about Afghanistan’s economic progress, inking of small and large scale mining contracts and other important achievements of IEA.

The chargé d'affaires announced an increase in British aid for the returning Afghan refugees and earthquake victims.

Earlier, the British diplomat met Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs Maulvi Abdul Kabir.

Maulvi Kabir warned applying pressure tactics on Afghanistan would not yield any result. All issues must be addressed through talks and interaction, he stressed.

Britain being a friend of Afghanistan wanted security and stability in the war-torn country, Dixon remarked.

He believed releasing British nationals represented a good opportunity for bilateral talks and his country would provide aid to victims of the Herat earthquake and the returning refugees.

He described the UN report about Afghanistan as comprehensive, offering an ideal opportunity to improve its relations with the world.

The deputy prime minister underlined the caretaker government’s desire for cooperative ties with the world, including the UK.

The deputy prime minister also called on the UN to give Afghanistan’s seat back to the IEA government and prevent propaganda against the interim set-up.

He also urged the world to send back their diplomats to closely watch the real situation in Afghanistan.

According to another report, Dixon also met Public Health Minister Dr. Qalandar Ebad.

A statement from the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) said, both sides discussed issues such as provision of quality health services and the impact of UK aid.

aw/mud