KABUL - Counterterrorism and economic development cooperation will be among the top of the Trump administration, which is scheduled to take office on January 20, believes the Afghan ambassador to the United States.
In an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, Hamdullah Mohib said both priorities bode well for America’s strong engagement with Afghanistan. Twenty of the world’s 98 designated terrorist groups are operating in the Af-Pak region.
The imperative to continue joint efforts to defeat the extremist outfits is as strong as ever, according to the diplomat, who estimated Afghanistan’s mineral wealth at more than $1 trillion. The minerals, energy resources, gemstones and rare-earth elements are yet to be mined.
Mohib said the government was working to create a regional consensus on turning Afghanistan into an area of positive cooperation and regional development, not a centre of regional rivalries.
The potential for all neighbours was far greater in regional cooperation and development, he argued, saying they were in touch with partners on how to unlock the potential of Afghanistan for itself and the region at large.
Following is the text of the interview:
Q: The US administration will change in a few days. As Afghan ambassador, you are surely meeting new US officials. What they are thinking about Afghanistan?
A: The people we have met, who are close to, or in, the incoming administration, believe it is too early to discuss the specifics of policy toward Afghanistan. They will need to do a review once they are in office before any discussion on specifics could be held. What I have heard, however, is that counterterrorism and economic development are at the top of the new administration’s priority list, and both of those bode well for a policy of strong US engagement with Afghanistan. Twenty of the world’s 98 designated terrorist groups are operating in the Af-Pak region, so the imperative to continue our joint efforts to defeat them is as strong as ever. As far as economic development, we are one of the newest members of the World Trade Organization and have more than $1 trillion of minerals, energy resources, gemstones and rare earth elements yet to be mined. Most importantly, in a world heavily consumed by electronics, Afghanistan is rich with the oil of the future – lithium. We are also capitalising on our position at the heart of Asia to become a hub for transit, transport, manufacturing, distribution, data and energy transmission for the entire Asian region. So there are abundant opportunities for cooperation, and abundant reasons to continue our joint counter terrorism efforts.
Q: Afghans are very concerned about Russia-Taliban relations, particular after the Moscow meeting. Many fear that Afghanistan may once again see proxy wars?
A: The Afghan government is working to create a regional consensus to turn Afghanistan into an area of positive cooperation and regional development. We are the key to unlocking the potential of Central Asia. We will not allow Afghanistan to become a battleground for disputes between other countries. The potential for all our neighbors is far greater in regional cooperation and development. We are two years into an extensive outreach to our neighbors and partners to unlock the prosperous potential of the Afghanistan for itself and the region.
Q: What do US think-tanks think about the Russia-Taliban contacts?
A: There are dozens of think-tanks in Washington and they all have different points of view on this and other matters. This diversity of opinion creates a rich atmosphere of debate, as it should.
Q: Will the Trump team work for good relation between Afghanistan and Pakistan?
A: I cannot speak for the incoming US administration but we hope they’ll do the right thing, which is work to end all safe havens for terrorists and reject attempts to distinguish between good and bad terrorists. The US has a great deal of leverage with Pakistan and it is our hope the new administration chooses to use that leverage to influence Pakistan’s behaviour, so that it supports the shared goals of Afghanistan and America: Peace and stability in the region.
Q: President Ghani has long been seeking regional and international consensus on Afghanistan. Was this consensus damaged after the Moscow meeting, where Afghanistan was not invited?
A: Diplomatic relations are not binary and one meeting doesn’t change anything. We protested the fact that Afghanistan was not present and, as a result of our objection, we have been invited to the next meeting. So we will absolutely have a seat at the table. Every country acts in its own interests, and Afghanistan is no different. We are a sovereign nation that has proven time and again that are we capable of defending our interests with all means available to us, including through diplomacy.
Q: Lobbying is very important in countries like the US. Are the Afghan embassy and diplomats lobbying on Afghanistan-related issues and meeting members of Congress?
Absolutely, Afghanistan is lucky to have so many friends in Washington, in both political parties, who want us to succeed. Our embassy has strong relationships with members of Congress and their staffs, and our diplomats and I are in near-constant communication with them to communicate Afghanistan’s needs, the importance of the U.S-Afghan partnership, updates on reform progress, and news about the security situation. We meet with people on Capitol Hill on a weekly basis, and also with prominent think tanks, thought leaders in the media, and respected members of the policy community.
Q: Some Afghans living in US complain on social media that embassy staff is not cooperative. What is your view?
A: We are working to improve our consulate operations. We process requests from all over the country and we realize our staffing levels might be inadequate for such demand. We are working to move some processes online so people can apply for what they need more easily. We are also automating some systems that right now are moving too slowly. We recently made it possible to book appointments online so people don’t have to call the consulate or wait in line. We are also trying to create an “e-consulate” to make things even easier. So far we have reduced the waiting time for new passports from four months to two weeks. It is an area of ongoing development. I personally attend to all complaints about the work in the consulate and make sure that our diplomats and local staff act professionally.
Q: Some Afghan army officers sent to the US for training have reportedly asked for asylum. The latest case involves female pilot Rahmani, What steps should be taken to prevent this happening?
A: Defending the Afghan nation is the responsibility of all Afghans. Our security forces are completely voluntary – when people sign up to defend their country they need to honor that commitment. As a government, we’re doing everything possible to professionalize our security forces, to provide better facilities, and equip our troops. It’s one of the main priorities we work with our international partners on, to make sure our military has what it needs to do the job it must. We think this steady arc of improvement will strengthen loyalty.
Q: What did you achieve as Afghan Ambassador in Washington DC last year?
A: Last year was very busy and the efforts of our Embassy in Washington exceeded my expectations. I led a successful effort to make the Embassy the epicenter of Afghan affairs, not just here in Washington but also with the outreach we did to other U.S. states and the groups we welcomed from all over. I hope I changed the perception of Afghanistan in Washington, so that people now see our country not as a war zone but as the home of amazing culture, beautiful people, and vast opportunities for economic development. This past year saw Afghanistan join the World Trade Organization, which many people here took note of, and we used that milestone to promote Afghan business and investment potential. We opened doors to the Afghan diaspora who are a big asset for Afghanistan and our work here in Washington. Finally, we forged connections between the Embassy and the more than 1 million Americans who have served in our country and still feel a strong connection to our journey toward peace and self-reliance. They are our biggest allies in America and we have made sure they are at the top of our priorities.
Q: Your message for Afghans

A: America’s interests are Afghanistan’s interests: both our countries want terrorism eradicated from Afghan soil, stability and strength in our economy, and for the Afghan people to have the ability to realize their full potential. Our two country’s strategic partnership is aimed at furthering these goals. The Afghan people should know that millions of Americans are cheering every positive development in Afghanistan; they want us to succeed as a strong, democratic country. I am touched by the love and affection Americans show to Afghans here in the US. I found Americans to be very much like Afghans -- like us, they are diverse, hard working, hospitable, and have a strong sense of family. Afghanistan has more than just a friend in America; it has a dependable partner for the future and we work hard each day to make sure we maintain that strong bond.(Pajhwok)