Afghanistan Times
Related Articles
AT-KABUL: US Special Representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad said that he has great hope for the future of Afghanistan and its people. He said this at the International Contact Group for Afghanistan.
“Very pleased to spend the day with colleagues and friends from around the world at the International Contact Group for Afghanistan. Peace. Security. Elections. Economic Development. I have great hope for the future of Afghanistan and its people. Grateful for all the support,” he tweeted.
The meeting held in London, where he welcomed commitment to peace process and support for recent progress. “We share a common view on necessity of intra-Afghan talks”
Recently he said that progress has made on two issues—counterterrorism and troop withdrawal, calling on skeptics that don’t judge the initial peace efforts as much more work has left to be done.
“The path to peace doesn’t often run in a straight line. The situation in Afghanistan is complex and like all sensitive talks, not everything is conducted in public. Let me take a moment to explain where we are,” he said in a separate tweet.
He added: “We made significant progress on two vital issues: counter terrorism and troop withdrawal. That doesn’t mean we’re done. We’re not even finished with these issues yet, and there is still work to be done on other vital issues like intra-Afghan dialogue and a complete ceasefire.”
“Skeptics have rushed to judgment based on just the first part of a much larger effort, as though we have a completed agreement. But you can’t eat an elephant in one bite! And a forty year old war won’t be resolved in one meeting, even if that meeting runs for close to a week.”
He further added: “This is a moment for Afghans to begin to heal old wounds and chart a new course for their country. There are many players, many issues, and many moving parts. But we are on the right path, together. As President Trump said, talks are proceeding well.”
The remark comes as many Afghans expressed their concern over Taliban’s reconciliation that washes away all the past-hard gains. Many Afghans, especially, women and girls, who suffered a lot and utterly banned from going to schools and workplaces, fear to see the same regime again. The Afghan government said they want peace but a dignify one.
