Russia announces Taliban demands on the United States


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AThe Taliban in Afghanistan will negotiate with the central government in Kabul only after the United States has agreed to leave the country, a Russian diplomat said.

Russia's special envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, on Monday announced the Taliban's demands after organizing an international summit on the country's crisis, which included other members of a Russian-led security bloc. China. The Taliban wants the United States to take a number of "confidence-building measures", starting with a deadline for the country's complete withdrawal.

"[They] said they would only be willing to speak with the Afghan government after setting a timetable for the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Afghanistan with the United States, said Kabulov, responsible of the TASS, led by the state. "As a measure of confidence in a preliminary plan, the Taliban demand the release of all political prisoners and the lifting of anti-Taliban sanctions imposed as early as 1997".

This ultimatum followed an international conference in Moscow, in which the Taliban participated. The United States was present as an observer, while Kabul sent members of the government-appointed Peace Council.

"With the participation in the meeting, the international status of the Islamic Emirate will be further strengthened," said the Taliban, referring to the name of the government overthrown during the US invasion after the 2001 terrorist attacks. "These diplomatic efforts of the Islamic emirate highlight the active, clear and independent diplomacy and politics of the Islamic emirate in the political sphere."

Countries in the region such as China, Iran, India and Pakistan – a meeting of opponents, enemies, budding partners and allies unstuck from the United States – also participated in the summit to discuss the prospects of a country that could constitute an area of ​​cooperation or rivalry. .

"It is unacceptable to try to make Afghanistan a field of competition for outside players, because it will have bad consequences," said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

And yet, US officials see this as Russia and Iran, even if all parties should see a common interest in suppressing the threat of terrorism emanating from the country.

"Russia does not help at all. "Iran does not help at all," Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison told Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, a US-backed publication. "We hear that when we are in Afghanistan, and we hear the military leaders. They talk about facilitators – those who have the money and the ability to be helpful, but rather support terrorist networks that kill innocent people. "

The State Department believes that Russia and Iran are "defending themselves" by supporting the Taliban, even as US forces fight the overthrown regime while seeking a decisive solution for a possible peace deal. While instability persists, a member of the Islamic State seeks to implant itself.

"ISIL has strengthened over the past two years, despite a deadly military campaign, mostly by US forces, but with the strong support of Afghan forces," said a US official. Washington Examiner in June, subject to anonymity.

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