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KABUL: The government denies the reports that President Ghani’s National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib was summoned during his US visit by the country’s stated department.
The reports about Mohib’s summon came after he accused US special envoy for Afghanistan peace, Zalmay Khalilzad at a UN Security Council meeting of marginalizing Afghan government in the peace talks with Taliban for his personal interests.
Tariq Arian, spokesman for the National Security Council said Friday that Mohib’s with officials at the US state department was already arranged as part of his US visit, adding that he was not summoned by the department.
Mohib is the first senior government official who criticizes a US diplomat. He has said that Afghan people and government think that Khalilzad tries to lead an interim administration in Afghanistan that he makes efforts to convince Taliban for accepting his idea.
“Khalilzad either doesn’t know how to run the negotiations or there are secret elements behind,” he has said.
Khalilzad is yet to comment on Mohib’s accusations, but Rober Palladino, the state department deputy spokesman said that officials at the department summoned Mohib to say they reject his words regarding peace with Taliban.
Parliamentarians ask government officials to avoid critical words in the current crucial situation.
“We are in a critical situation that requires government officials to be cautious and avoid words that can jeopardize our national interests and put us in danger,” said lawmaker, Erfanullah Erfan. He added that Mohib’s critical words show that there are differences between the governments of Afghanistan and the United States.
Mohib was reportedly told at the US state department that blaming ambassador Khalilzad meant blaming the US, that would hinder Kabul-Washington relationships and the peace process.
“Surely such words affect the peace process because the US reaction is a matter of concern. The US will likely choose another option after this, or maybe our neighbors misuse the situation and change Washington’s opinion regarding Afghanistan,” Erfan said.
