KABUL - Afghanistan wants the global fraternity, particularly the United States of America, to lend greater diplomatic support to efforts at speeding up the ongoing peace drive, a presidential aide said on Thursday.
In an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, President Hamid Karzai's chief spokesman urged the US to strongly support Kabul's efforts with Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey to woo the Taliban into peace parleys.
Aimal Faizi said Washington's proactive role in the Afghan-led peace offensive was critical to stability in the country and the region at large. Similarly, he hastened to add, Islamabad's contribution was equally decisive.
"We urge Pakistan to bring the Afghan militants living in that country to the negotiating table," said the spokesman, who lauded a recent initiative by Japan's Doshisha University to bring together representatives of the Afghan government and Taliban.
Last week, Karzai's advisor met a Taliban representative at an international conference in Kyoto -- the first time that representatives of the warring parties met in public. "We welcome Japan's initiative," Faizi remarked.
Qari Din Mohammed Hanif, Taliban's former planning minister, attended the conference where the Karzai was represented by Mohammad Masoom Stanikzai, a senior member of the High Peace Council.
About High Peace Council Chairman Salahuddin Rabbani's recent visit to Saudi Arabia, the spokesman said his trip was aimed at accelerating the reconciliation campaign.
Rabbani, who visited the OIC Secretariat in Jeddah, met Ambassador Sadeddin Taib, senior advisor to the grouping's head and other officials. Different aspects of the peace process and security transition came up for discussion at the meeting.
Faizi believed Saudi Arabia could encourage militant leaders, as well as Pakistan, to initiate effective steps toward ending the conflict in Afghanistan. He asked the Taliban to stop killing innocent civilians and join the reconciliation process.
He reiterated the government's stance on peacemaking with the fighters, saying that they were ready for talks with the sons of the soil and those who were willing the respect the Afghan constitution.
He lashed out at western media for leveling "baseless allegations" against Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). "Our army and police are much better skilled than they were a few years ago."
Faizi insisted Afghan forces were capable of safeguarding their motherland and protecting their compatriots. However, he stressed joint efforts by Afghanistan, its neighbors and Western allies for combating terrorism.
After the withdrawal of foreign forces in 2014, he hoped, Afghans would be more effectively defending their country and taking care of their own security. "We are very proud of the sacrifices of our forces."
He acknowledged there was corruption both in the Afghan government and in the delivery of assistance from outside -- the contracting mechanisms, the award of contracts to influential figures.
The Karzai government, which remained committed to fighting corruption in all its manifestations, would strengthen national institutions to better combat the scourge over the next two years, Faizi concluded. (Pajhwok)