Washington: The US State Department warned on Wednesday that the Taliban-ruled country could again become a haven for militants if international terrorists regroup in Afghanistan.
These concerns were expressed by State Department spokesman Ned Price during a press briefing while discussing the deteriorating situation in the region following the attack on the Pakistani embassy in Kabul.
The spokesman said that the Taliban failed to fulfill their promises in counter-terrorism as well.
“We also have capabilities to counter terrorism in the region that do not leave us completely exposed to the Taliban. We demonstrated these capabilities in recent months with the killing of former al-Qaeda emir Ayman al-Zawahiri.” Good on the pledge that you’ve heard consistently from President Biden since the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan last year that if we see international terrorists regrouping in Afghanistan, we will act. We will act like this. will protect our interests.”
Ned Price added that the broader US objective is to ensure that terrorists and others cannot use Afghanistan as a launch pad for attacks on Pakistan.
“Of course, we have also seen other groups active. You mentioned the TTP, among others. We are committed to working with our partners in the region, including Pakistan, so that we can combat terrorism. Do everything possible to address the threat” to the region, and certainly the threat of terrorism that extends beyond the region.”
When asked about security cooperation with Islamabad, the spokesperson said that Pakistan is an important partner in many respects.
He said that Pakistan receives grant assistance from the International Military Education and Training Program which provides professional military education, operational and technical courses which in turn strengthen Pakistan’s capabilities to deal with threats – whether Be it counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism – as well as skill courses. Improve institutional capacity and resource management.
“This is strengthening the military cooperation between our two countries.”
Asad Majeed Foreign Secretary
The US official was also asked to comment on the appointment of former ambassador to the US Asad Majeed as foreign secretary, whose cable to Islamabad was at the center of the controversy.
Responding to the question, Ned Price said, “We have consistently denied these false and fabricated rumours. Our interest is only in the interest of the people of Pakistan and the constitutional system of Pakistan. We do not endorse any candidate or any individual. No preference over others. What we are in favor of is the constitutional system of Pakistan.
Situation in Afghanistan
Responding to a question about public executions in Afghanistan, State Department spokesman Ned Price said, “We have seen reports that the Taliban have ordered judges to impose their own interpretation of Sharia law. Including hanging, mutilation and flogging.”
“It was an affront to the dignity and human rights of all Afghans then; it will be an affront to the dignity and human rights of all Afghans now,” he said.
He said that Afghans continue to reject these actions of the Taliban and the United States is closely watching the Taliban’s treatment of the people of Afghanistan. He explained that the Taliban regime’s relations with the US and the international community depend entirely on its own actions. “When it comes to the rights of all Afghans, especially women, girls, minorities, and marginalized communities in Afghanistan, much depends on their actions when it comes to human rights.”
The spokesman said that it is undeniable that the Taliban want relations with other countries and Afghanistan needs relations with the rest of the world.
“This is a country that has been able to survive for decades with a heavy dose of international aid, development aid and humanitarian aid. The people of Afghanistan – and Afghanistan itself – will not be in a position of prosperity and stability without continued international support.” stability without aid,” he said.
He said that the United States is playing its role by providing humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan, adding that the Taliban recognize and know that to give them any degree of prosperity, stability in their country. Relations with countries outside Afghanistan will be needed. They like it or not.
A State Department spokesman said that if the Taliban want to see any semblance of improved relations with the United States, it will depend entirely on their behavior. “It will depend entirely on when they talk about areas that are in our national interest. Human rights are our core interest; women’s and girls’ rights, that’s our core interest.”
The Taliban have demonstrated that they are unwilling or unable to live up to the commitments they have made, not only to the international community but most importantly, to the people of Afghanistan, he said.
