US troops won't withdraw from Afghanistan before peace agreement: Zalmay Khalilzad
They will hold meetings with Pakistani authorities on Afghan peace process
KABUL (Dunya News) – US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad on Sunday said that the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan is another thing as Washington wants political solution of Afghan issue.
In a statement issued on Sunday, he said that peace in Afghanistan would pave way for the withdrawal of US troops from the country, adding that the forces wouldn’t withdraw before any peace agreement.
The special representative went on to say that the Taliban demands timeline of US troops withdrawal, adding which would be given conditionally.
“The troops would withdraw in phases only if the conditions of the US are met,” he said.
He said: “The US wants to quit Afghanistan responsibly as we do not want such things to happen that were happened during Soviet withdrawal.” There will be no enduring peace in Afghanistan unless the Taliban adapt to the changes that have swept the country since they were ousted in 2001, the US diplomat said.
Khalilzad said the Taliban recognise their government "made a lot mistakes" when it was in power from 1996-2001, and "they have learned a lot". "If the Taliban insist on going back to the system they used to have, in my personal opinion it means the continuation of war not peace," he said.
Khalilzad is expected to meet with the Taliban in Doha in the coming days, but critics have lashed peace talks for so far failing to include members of the Afghan government, which the Taliban view as a puppet regime.
The special envoy said it was vital all parties communicate in an "intra-Afghan dialogue". Such a meeting was supposed to take place in Doha this month but it collapsed amid squabbling about the size of the guest list.
"We have started discussion for the withdrawal of the (US) forces, but for the past few weeks my struggles were focused on providing a ground for intra-Afghan talks," Khalilzad said.
"That is the first step for further discussion, but there has been no proper progress yet."
He added that Washington is "a bit impatient" to end the war, given its $45 billion annual cost to the US taxpayer and the continued toll it takes on US forces.
Washington wants "to put an end to their expenses in Afghanistan and the dangers the forces face but also Washington has a responsibility and wants to end this war responsibly and leave a good legacy," Khalilzad said.
On the other hand, in a tweet, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said that the US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, South and Central Asia, Alice G. Wells will arrive in Islamabad on Monday.
Dr Muhammad Faisal said that they will hold meetings with Pakistani authorities as part of regular consultations, on bilateral relationship and Afghan peace process.
US Special Rep for Afgan Reconciliation Amb Khalilzad and Principle Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, South and Central Asia, Amb Wells arrive in Islamabad, Monday to hold meetings - part of regular consultations, on bilateral relationship & Afghan peace process.
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) April 28, 2019
