AFGHANISTAN. Kabul: U.S Secretary Antony Blinken in a letter to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani–similar to one shared with Chairman Abdullah–presents four suggestions for the Afghan peace process, according to the letter.
“UN should convene a meeting of foreign ministers and envoys from Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India, and the US to discuss a unified approach to supporting peace in Afghanistan,” Blinken writes.
Afghan TOLO News has obtained a copy of the letter of the US secretary of State to Ghani in which he has warned of pulling troops as an option too.
“US envoy Khalilzad should share written proposals with President Ghani & the Taliban leaders written proposals aimed at accelerating discussions on a negotiated settlement and ceasefire. These proposals reflect some of the ideas included in the roadmap for the peace process,” Blinken added.
Turkey hosting Afghan parties
Blinken said that Turkey will be asked to host a senior-level meeting of both sides in the coming weeks to finalize a peace agreement. Blinken has also urged Ghani or his “authoritative designees” to attend the meeting.
“There is a revised proposal prepared for a 90-day reduction in violence ‘to prevent a spring offensive’ by the Taliban to coincide with diplomatic efforts to support a political settlement between the two parties.”
In the letter, Blinken has told President Ghani that the US has not ruled out any option regarding Afghanistan. “We are considering the full withdrawal of our forces by May 1, as we consider other options,” he wrote.
Future settlement
Afghan politicians have accessed a draft on a new format for the country’s political future. Zalmai Khalilzad, U.S envoy for Afghanistan peace met Taliban leaders over the new U.S proposed structure for a future peace settlement on Saturday. Before the meetings, he had shared a copy of the proposal in which a “participatory and transitional” was suggested.
The proposal outlined “Transitional government”, was written in 10 pages in English. The proposal suggests establishing a “Transitional-Government of Peace” to reach a future settlement with the Taliban.
In a tweet on Saturday, Dr. Naeem, a Taliban spokesman said, “A meeting took place between the head of the political office Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and the special representative of the US Dr. Zalmai Khlilzad. Both sides expressed their commitment to the Doha agreement and discussed its full implementation.”
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Transfer of power through polls
On the inauguration of the third year of the 17th legislative term of the National Assembly, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said that Afghanistan’s constitution will decide on the future administration, not plans made by “others.”
“The transfer of power through elections is an “unchanging principle” for us. We are ready to talk on a free, transparent, and countrywide election under the management of the international community. We can discuss and agree about its date,” he said.
President Ghani asked the Taliban to prove their true intentions for peace in Afghanistan by “Stopping the violence”. “Prove it in action that you have a true intention for peace,” Ghani said during his speech at the parliament.
Ghani assured that no decision will be made in absence of continued consultation with the people as well as without the direct role and approval of all layers of Afghan society, adding that he is ready for sacrifice for peace, but it will not lead to the loss of the last decades’ achievements.
Calling the current opportunity for peace unprecedented and unique, Ghani said Afghans want an end to the war that has continued for 42 years and that they want peace, but not the peace of the graveyard.
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