KABUL (Pajhwok): US Special Representative Thomas West has asked the Taliban to make practical efforts for earning legitimacy and support.
In response to Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s open letter to the Congress, West tweeted: “We will continue clear-eyed, candid diplomacy with the Taliban.”
Legitimacy and support must be earned by actions to address terrorism, establish an inclusive government and respect the rights of minorities, women and girls -- including equal access to education and employment, he stressed.
The Taliban’s letter to Congress earlier this week misconstrued the facts regarding Afghanistan’s economic and humanitarian crisis, the diplomat claimed.
“Afghanistan was unfortunately already suffering a terrible humanitarian crisis before mid-August, made worse by war, years of drought & the pandemic.”
West added US officials had made clear to the Taliban for years that if they pursued a military takeover rather than a negotiated settlement with fellow Afghans, then critical non-humanitarian aid provided by the international community – in an economy enormously dependent on aid, including for basic services – would all but cease.
“The US will continue to support the Afghan people with humanitarian aid. We've provided $474 million this year, applaud the robust efforts of allies & partners in this space, & are making every effort to help the UN & humanitarian actors scale up to meet needs this winter.”
nh/mud
