The United States demanded the Taliban to accept certain military bases in Afghanistan during peace talks held in the United Arab Emirates last month, a Pakistani newspaper reported Monday.
Although the Taliban have repeatedly demanded complete withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, they showed an inclination to discuss the US suggestion, the report by the Express Tribune said.
An unnamed official privy to the negotiations was quoted as saying by the paper that Washington wants to maintain ‘permanent bases’ in Afghanistan.
“And that’s been the sticking point in the ongoing talks,” the official said, adding the bases US seeks to maintain in Afghanistan would have no role in the Afghan security but meant for maintaining presence for an overall regional stability.
The US also seeks to maintain close contact with the future Afghan governments in order to ensure that the country does not become a safe haven for any terrorist organizations, the report said.
Pakistan is not opposed to the US demand but wants a consensus among other countries in the region including Russia, Iran and China, the paper said.
According to the paper, the US along with its western as well as Arab allies would provide substantial financial assistance for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Afghanistan in the post-peace deal.
