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White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Wednesday that US policy was still not to negotiate with terrorists, despite the Biden administration relying heavily on statements and promises by Taliban leaders to evacuate Americans from Afghanistan.
During his daily press briefing, Fox News’ Peter Doocy asked Psaki: “Why haven’t we heard the president say, ‘The United States is not negotiating with the terrorists?’ Is it still American policy? “
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“Well, sure, Peter,” Psaki replied. “But I would also say that there is a reality that the Taliban currently controls large swathes of Afghanistan. This is the reality on the ground, and right now our goal and our priority is to evacuate American citizens. and our Afghan partners.
“And I would say, given the numbers that we have described and informed for you, that we have made a lot of progress in doing just that,” she added.
Another reporter also asked Psaki if the Biden administration offered the Taliban any money or supplies in return for their cooperation in the US evacuation effort.
“No, it’s not a ‘quid pro quo’,” Psaki replied. “We have clearly defined our expectations regarding the movement of American citizens and our Afghan partners, allies, out of the country and that is what we are striving to achieve.”
Psaki’s comments come as tens of thousands of Americans, allies, Afghans who assisted coalition forces and others vulnerable to Taliban violence have struggled to flee Afghanistan since the central government collapsed in the face of insurgents on August 15.
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US troops are confined to Kabul airport and have a Taliban-backed August 31 deadline to exit. The Biden administration has pledged to get all U.S. citizens out of the country before the deadline, but it leaves questions about what will happen to special immigrant visa holders who are blocked by the Taliban for access the airport.
The Biden administration has said it does not trust the Taliban, but has repeatedly called on the Islamic militant group to allow people safe access to the airport and refrain from violence.
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