President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani said Saturday that the government’s team to negotiate with the Taliban will be ready by March 10, the day when intra-Afghan talks are expected to start according to the group’s deal with the United States.
Speaking at the inauguration of parliament after winter break, Ghani said that the US-Taliban deal was an important step in peace process.
He said that the Afghan government was ready to enter into talks with the Taliban, but stressed that the group’s demand for release of 5,000 prisoners was a pre-requisite.
“As a president, I have no desire to hold Taliban prisoners, but their release should happen based on a transparent process and a clear mechanism so that our people are assured that they would see a positive change and a full ceasefire,” Ghani said.
He said that the negotiating team should defend the Constitution, republic system of governance and basic human rights.
The president also urged the Senate and the Lower House to introduce two and five members each respectively for joining the High Reconciliation Council.
But President Ghani did not make it clear whether he will conduct consolations with the seven lawmakers, or if he will include them on the negotiating team.
Calling the current condition “critical” in terms of an opportunity for peace, Ghani said the people’s request is that there should be an executive guarantee so that these people (prisoners) will not return to violence once they are released.
Ghani said discussions were made last week about the negotiating team. “Our negotiating team will be ready by March 10,” Ghani said.
“Afghanistan is in a critical stage and is in dire need of unity. We can only overcome challenges with the perspective of national unity,” Ghani concluded.
