Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Still Long Way to Go for Sustainable Peace in Afghanistan, Says US Congressman Bera

Still Long Way to Go for Sustainable Peace in Afghanistan, Says US Congressman Bera

Chairperson of the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, Ami Bera, last week cast aspersions on the short-term prospects of a peace agreement between the United States and Afghan Taliban, but admitted that the group may be given a role in the future government.
Speaking to the Pakistani community, the Indian-American congressman said there was a long way to go for peace in Afghanistan.
"We have to define what sustaining peace in Afghanistan looks like," Bera said during an exclusive interview with Geo News, in which he talked at length about US, Iran and the prospects of a peace deal in Afghanistan.
"And, I think, there is still a long way to go," he added.
'Afghan peace process moving forward'
At the residence of Democrat Dr Asif Mahmood, Bera patiently heard the arguments of the Pakistani community against Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir and expressed his strong opinions on the issues facing the community in the US, as well as abroad, vowing to take a principled stance for them.
Democratic members of the US House of Representatives have in recent weeks tried to pick the brain of US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad in order gauge details of the peace deal he is negotiating with the Taliban on behalf of US President Donald Trump.
However, reports suggest that Khalizad has been less-than-forthcoming on the matter, preferring to report directly to the US president. Bera was asked about the matter and the reason behind the distrust of Democrats in the White House, as well as about the details of the Afghan deal.
"Right now, our impression with the Afghan peace process is moving forward. There are negotiations between the United States and the Taliban. But, we see that as a starting point, not the ending point," he said in response to the question.
"I am not sure how close they are. But, if you can get to ceasefire then you really have to have Afghanistan government and the Taliban negotiating together," he admitted, hinting that the Taliban could be given a role in the government as peace talks progressed.
The US and the Taliban have come close to a peace deal at multiple occasions over the past few months, but realities on the ground have halted the developments. "it’s always difficult to get to that last part," Bera said in reference to the negotiations for truce in Afghanistan. (GEO TV)