KABUL - US Special Representative Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad has condemned Taliban’s announcement of the annual spring offensive and asked all Afghans to come together in talks to determine a common future.
In a series of tweets, Khalilzad said: “The Taliban's spring offensive announcement is reckless. It is irresponsible to suggest that an increase in violence is warranted because the government announced a security plan. The Afghan people have clearly voiced their desire for peace.”
Through this announcement, he said, Taliban leaders had demonstrated their indifference to the demands of Afghans across the country. The call for more fighting would not advance peace efforts, the envoy argued.
“At a time when all Afghans should come together in talks to determine a common future, a call for fighting suggests the Taliban are stuck in the ways of the past. Many Taliban including fighters and some leaders oppose this announcement,” the US diplomat claimed.
“On behalf of the United States, I condemn this announcement of a spring offensive, and call on Pakistan, Qatar, and other nations that want peace in Afghanistan to do the same.
“The killing of Afghans must stop. All sides must end unnecessary violence, and instead engage in Intra-Afghan dialogue which leads to negotiations on a political settlement and a roadmap to end the war this year. Afghan people want peace, and the US stands with them.” (Pajhwok)