The United States special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has on Sunday said “significant progress” was made during his six-day meeting with the Taliban officials held in Qatar aimed to resolve 17-year-long Afghan crisis.
In a tweet on Saturday, Khalilzad wrote: “After six days in Doha, I’m headed to #Afghanistan for consultations. Meetings here were more productive than they have been in the past. We made significant progress on vital issues.”
1/3 After six days in Doha, I'm headed to #Afghanistan for consultations. Meetings here were more productive than they have been in the past. We made significant progress on vital issues.
— U.S. Special Representative Thomas West (@US4AfghanPeace) January 26, 2019
Al-Jazeera quoted Khalilzad as saying “the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and other vital issues saw progress”.
In an official statement, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said, “The policy of the Islamic Emirates during talks was very clear. Until the issue of withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan is agreed upon, progress in other issues is impossible.”
According to Reuters news reports, the Taliban also slammed media reports allegedly claiming that an agreement has been reached out for a ceasefire with the Afghan government. The statement stated, “Reports by some media outlets about agreement on a ceasefire and talks with the Kabul administration are not true.”
While denying reports that a draft peace negotiation had been agreed upon, Khalilzad tweeted: “Will build on the momentum and resume talks shortly. We have a number of issues left to work out. Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, and “everything” must include an intra-Afghan dialogue and comprehensive ceasefire.”
2/3. Will build on the momentum and resume talks shortly. We have a number of issues left to work out. Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, and “everything” must include an intra-Afghan dialogue and comprehensive ceasefire.
— U.S. Special Representative Thomas West (@US4AfghanPeace) January 26, 2019
Khalilzad thanked the cooperation made by the Taliban and tweeted: “Thanks to the Government of #Qatar for their constructive engagement and their facilitation of this round of talks. Particularly the Deputy PM and FM @MBA_AlThani_ for his personal involvement.”
3/3. Thanks to the Government of #Qatar for their constructive engagement and their facilitation of this round of talks. Particularly the Deputy PM and FM @MBA_AlThani_ for his personal involvement.
— U.S. Special Representative Thomas West (@US4AfghanPeace) January 26, 2019
Zalmay Khalilzad arrives in Kabul –
After completing his six-day official visit to Qatar aimed at Afghan peace efforts, Khalilzad arrived in Kabul on Sunday to secure cooperation from Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani after a breakthrough in peace deals with the Taliban officials in Qatar.
The draft included assurances from the hardline Islamic groups that now it will not allow Afghan to be used by Islamic State or al-Qaeda to attack the US and allies. Similar assurances were involved which were given to Pakistan in the same draft pact.
The Taliban source said it also wanted to be a part of an interim government after any truce. It was still unclear whether the draft, described by the Taliban sources, was accepted by both the sides.
Two senior Taliban officials said a new round of dialogues between the Taliban and Khalilzad was expected to take place in Doha on February 25.
A senior Afghan official, on conditions of anonymity, said, “He (Khalilzad) will inform Ghani and his officials about all the developments, seek their opinion before traveling back to Washington.”