The US special envoy for Afghan peace says his country does not want to monopolize Afghan peace process, urging Afghans to take responsibility for their own future as America’s role in Afghanistan wanes away.
Talking in an exclusive interview to Azadi Radio/Radio Free Europe, Khalilzad said since the US was not looking to have monopoly over the process, the regional countries including Russia can play a constructive role in the ongoing efforts for peace in Afghanistan.
“US role in Afghanistan dwindles, so to ensure a durable peace in the country, Afghans need to take more responsibility. Any decision concerning the peace should be inclusive and be acceptable all over the country. Moreover, the region also has an important role to play in the process because one part of the war is a proxy,” Khalilzad said.
The US peace envoy denied that his country was just looking for an opportunity to leave Afghanistan, but wanted a durable peace in the country where there would be no need for the presence of foreign forces, including the US military.
He said that peace with the Taliban wouldn’t mean an end to terrorism in Afghanistan. The diplomat said that the fight against Daesh and al-Qaeda would continue.
“I don’t say that after an agreement with Taliban, there will be no problems in Afghanistan. It cannot end the terrorism because even if war with Taliban ends, ISIS and Al-Qaida are still there and fight against them will continue,” Khalilzad stressed.
On foreign troop withdrawal, Khalilzad said that if there was no terrorism in Afghanistan and the next Afghan government wanted US and NATO forces to leave the country, the pullout would take place from three to five years.
Khalilzad hoped that agreement between the Afghan government and the Taliban can be reached before presidential election which is scheduled for September 28.
Khalilzad, who held a few rounds of talks with Taliban representatives in Doha, Qatar, arrived in Kabul on Sunday night. He held meetings with President Ghani, CEO Abdullah and some other influential politicians. Khalizad on Tuesday flew to Kandahar and consulted some politicians in the southern province.
