US negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad commented on the Afghanistan negotiations
on Friday, saying he believes “the sooner the better” on such a deal,
and that it is his hope that a deal could be reached before the July presidential election in Afghanistan.
Khalilzad confirmed a framework deal is already in place, though he
downplayed this, saying major hurdles remain, and also downplayed the
chances of US troops actually leaving the country in the near term.
Instead of withdrawing upon reaching a peace deal, the condition the
Taliban are seeking, Khalilzad indicated that the US would only leave if
“there is no threat to our national security from Afghanistan.”
He also suggested that he didn’t believe anything that the Taliban has
said, insisting that the US “do not trust the words of any of the
protagonists” in Afghanistan. He reiterated that nothing is agreed to
until the US agrees to everything.
This might turn into good news but the cia and it’s contractors will need a place to stay to over see the poppy fields.
i almost choked on my coffee when this zionist started talking about trust-jeez, does anyone in the world rust the us to uphold any agreements-seriously doubt it. and of course, some of the mic sychophants (e.g. patreaus) cannot understand why whe want to leave.
This article somewhat captures the mindless hysteria about trying to wind down this mindless war-caution, the gag factor is off the scale, particularly our hero max boot and of course the wapo/nyt cabal:
https://fair.org/home/media-rally-around-forever-war-in-afghanistan/
In fact, bombing Taliban tribes is just a way to provoke them into responding and having excuses to stay.
In fact, Khalilizad is talking as if he did not read a comprehensive agreement reached by Afghani Taliban (tribes) and most large political parties in Afghanistan, except the ruling party of President Ghani. For the first time, Taliban, former President Karzai and Northern Alliance met and agreed on a comprehensive set of principles — from the ststus of Afghanistan as a neutral country, to rights of women. All issues are tackled, and agreements in writing. Guarantees of not allowing militant groups on jts territory, etc. This meeting held in Moscow is the outcome of consultations among China, Pakistan and Moscow, as well as all politjcal parties in opposition, including former Taliban nemesis, Northern Alliance. Countries pledging support are Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The process now moves to Doha and is in Khalilizad’s hands. The problem in US is the confusion on the division of power. President has been largely prevented from conducting foreign policy. So alternnative centers of foreign policy are creating lack of confidence in US nevotiators. The problems Khalilizad mentioned are real, but cannot be solved without listening to the combined voices of Afghan political and triibal consensus. Especially as the answers have been put in writing as their common position. The question of trust — is not this at the core of all negotiations? Are just Afghans not trust worthy? The proposals they have put in front of US —is a proposal, and US can raise concerns, delve into specifics. But it is clear once again like in Syria -/ US has no regional partner any more that is supporting ifs indefinite stay.
China Russia and Pakistan along with those of the Taliban and Afghanistan government are the groups seeking a peaceful settlement and Americans are just there as agitators to the process. China in particular want to include Afghanistan in their new silk road trade projects along with Pakistan and Russia and the American presence in the region was to control oil transfers from the regions this basically why they became involved in Afghanistan in the the first place.
“The U.S. Government’s position is that we support multiple pipelines…
The Unocal pipeline is among those pipelines that would receive our
support under that policy. I would caution that while we do support the
project, the U.S. Government has not at this point recognized any
governing regime of the transit country, one of the transit countries,
Afghanistan, through which that pipeline would be routed. But we do
support the project.”
[ U.S. House of Reps., “U.S. Interests in the Central Asian Republics”, 12 Feb 1998 ]
More importantly, they need it before poppy harvest season.