KABUL - US Ambassador to Afghanistan John Bass has said the Afghans must be prepared to compromise in months to come to achieve a political settlement and select a new leader.
Addressing a gathering marking his country’s Independence Day at the US Embassy here, the envoy said: “So as you look ahead to the next few months – months that will bring opportunities to achieve a political settlement and to select a new leader -- you must be prepared to compromise.  The United States, our NATO allies, our other partners – we cannot solve the problems that divide so many Afghans today.”
“Only you can do that – working together.  We cannot guarantee credible results from presidential elections – only you can do that.  And we cannot – and will not – decide where and how you must be prepared to compromise with the Taliban – and where they must be prepared to compromise with you– to bring this conflict to an end,” he maintained.
The envoy reiterated that the Americans would remain Afghanistan’s friend and partner.  “We will support Afghan men and women who come together to address these tough problems, and to make the hard choices to achieve peace.  Because those who have lost their lives, through decades of conflict and in recent tragic events, deserve this effort to find common ground.”
Recalling history, Bass said, the Afghans had shown many times throughout history how committed they had been to govern themselves, free from foreign interference.
The Afghans bravely confronted and defeated the Soviet Union’s aggression.  “But I think most of you would agree that many of Afghanistan’s problems today come from within – from the inability of many Afghans to see your diversity as a strength; to find common ground and purpose supporting the national interest along with one’s community and family; and to be prepared to compromise and work together to benefit all Afghans.”
He quoted Benjamin Franklin as saying “Compromisers do not make great heroes, but they do make great democracies.” 
He said Afghanistan had sent countless heroes to the field in the past 40 years, but it had not created enough compromisers to safeguard the republic for the next 40 years. (Pajhwok)