Release of Noorzai a new chapter in relations with US: Muttaqi

KABUL (Pajhwok) Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Monday described the swapping of Bashar Noorzai with an American citizen Mark Frerichs in a prisoner exchange ‘a new chapter in relations with the US.’

The two prisoners were exchanged at the Kabul airport, Muttaqi told a news conference here, insisting the Taliban were ready to solve problems by negotiation with all, including the United States.

Flanked by Bashar Noorzai, a businessmen linked to the Islamic Emirate, the foreign minister said Noorzai  spent 17 and a half years in the Guantanamo Bay prison of the United States and was released as a result of the efforts of the Islamic Emirate.

Muttaqi also said he discussed some other topics with the American side at the Kabul airport. He did not provide details, but added: "We believe such talks can pave the way for other developments and achievements and bringing the two countries closer.”

The minister insisted every issue should be resolved through dialogue because force and conflict had no positive outcome.

“We desire positive relations with the world and most countries of the world have responded positively to this message. Now the Americans have also come forward to solve issues through talks and negotiations. This is a good step. We welcome this step."

Briefly speaking on the occasion, Noorzai hoped his release in exchange for the American engineer would lead to peace between the two countries.  He urged the international community to resolve issues with the Taliban through talks.

Noorzai, who the United States had held on drugs charges since 2005, has been a businessman from southern Kandahar province.

The last American prisoner, Frerichs is an engineer and US Navy veteran from Lombard, Illinois, who worked in Afghanistan for a decade on development projects. He was abducted in February 2020.

ma