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Ending domestic differences ends the war in Afghanistan – Sirajuddin Haqqani
As the US and Taliban representatives are about to sign a peace deal, Sirajuddin Haqqani, the deputy leader of the Taliban said that “No peace agreement” comes without mutual compromises.
The two laterals are reportedly expected to sign a peace agreement following a 7-day probationary period of ‘reduction in violence’ later this month.
Haqqani, in a letter published by the New York Times, said that the Taliban “are about to sign an agreement with the United States and we are fully committed to carrying out its every single provision, in letter and spirit.”
He stressed that achieving the potential of the agreement, ensuring its success and earning lasting peace in Afghanistan would depend on an equally scrupulous observance by the United States of each of its commitments.
“Only then can we have complete trust and lay the foundation for cooperation — or even a partnership — in the future,” Haqqani said.
The letter noted the need for lasting peace in Afghanistan, as Haqqani said that the Afghans have suffered for more than four decades, “The long war has exacted a terrible cost from everyone… Everyone has lost somebody they loved.”
“Everyone is tired of war. I am convinced that the killing and the maiming must stop,” said Haqqani adding, “My fellow Afghans will soon celebrate this historic agreement.”
Meanwhile, Haqqani said that if the US and Taliban could reach an agreement, the intra-Afghan disagreement should be resolved through dialogue.
Haqqani, in the letter, considers the idea that Afghanistan is being used by disruptive groups to threaten regional and global security, calling it “inflated” and “politically motivated exaggerations” by the players of the war.
He writes, “We have already suffered enough from foreign interventions. We will take all measures in partnership with other Afghans to make sure the new Afghanistan is a bastion of stability and that nobody feels threatened on our soil.”
Afghanistan cannot afford to live in isolation. The new Afghanistan will be a responsible member of the international community, Haqqani said.
He further states that Afghans will remain committed to all international conventions as long as they are compatible with Islamic principles, adding that other countries are expected to respect the sovereignty and stability of Afghanistan and consider it as a ground for cooperation rather than competition and conflict.
Source: New York Times
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Afghan returns from Pakistan must be voluntary, safe and dignified: Guterres
Guterres added that the United Nations remains committed to working with Pakistan to uphold protection principles and ensure that the return of Afghans takes place voluntarily and in a safe and dignified manner.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has praised Pakistan for hosting millions of Afghans fleeing conflict and instability over the past decades, while calling for Afghan returns to be voluntary, safe and dignified.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, Guterres said Pakistan had “opened its doors to millions of Afghans” seeking safety and protection.
“Communities around this country shared whatever they had with people seeking protection and safety,” he said.
Guterres added that the United Nations remains committed to working with Pakistan to uphold protection principles and ensure that the return of Afghans takes place voluntarily and in a safe and dignified manner.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also expressed “deep concern” over what he described as the continued use of Afghan soil to carry out terrorist attacks against Pakistan. He urged the UN chief and the international community to help address these challenges.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari raised similar concerns during a meeting with Guterres.
“Pakistan continues to face terrorism from groups operating from Afghan territory and has shared evidence concerning external support to terrorist proxies targeting Pakistan,” Zardari said, stressing that Afghan territory must not be used against Pakistan or any other country.
The Islamic Emirate officials have denied the presence of militant groups in Afghanistan, saying Kabul is not responsible for Pakistan’s security problems.
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Afghanistan, Pakistan interested in normalizing relations: Lavrov
Lavrov described the failure to adopt a final document as “unpleasant” but said this issue should not be exaggerated.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says Afghanistan and Pakistan are both interested in normalizing relations despite recent tensions between the two countries.
Speaking at a press conference in Moscow on Tuesday, Lavrov said the differences between Kabul and Islamabad had affected the recent Moscow Format meeting on Afghanistan, preventing the participants from reaching agreement on a final statement.
Lavrov described the failure to adopt a final document as “unpleasant” but said the situation should not be exaggerated.
He said Daesh poses a challenge to both Afghanistan and Pakistan, carrying out attacks in the two countries and creating problems for their governments.
“I have no doubt that both Afghanistan and Pakistan are interested in normalizing relations,” Lavrov said.
He added that Russia would continue efforts to help resolve the existing and emerging issues between Kabul and Islamabad.
Lavrov also called on countries outside the region to refrain from interfering in regional affairs.
He said Afghanistan and other countries in the region continue to face the consequences of what he described as “gross interference by Western countries,” which he said has contributed to the current challenges in the region.
Amir Khan Muttaqi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met on Tuesday with Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, to discuss bilateral relations, regional security, and security cooperation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate said the two sides also discussed counter-narcotics efforts and expanding security cooperation between Afghanistan and Russia.
Muttaqi, referring to the positive progress in political relations between the two countries, thanked Russia for recognizing the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and stressed the importance of strengthening security cooperation, regular consultations, and expanding economic and trade relations.
The Foreign Minister also said Afghanistan would continue its efforts to ensure regional security and combat narcotics, and supports expanding cooperation with regional countries through direct contacts and practical cooperation.
Meanwhile, Sergei Shoigu described Afghanistan-Russia relations as expanding in various areas and expressed satisfaction with Afghanistan’s efforts to maintain security and combat narcotics.
The Secretary of Russia’s Security Council emphasized that Moscow would continue political consultations and practical cooperation with Afghanistan.
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