KABUL – *Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South andCentral Asian Affairs Alice Wells visited Kabul on Saturday and Sunday andmet with Afghan officials and international partners. *
In a press release issued by the US Embassy in Kabul, Wells underscoredcontinued US support for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process and theneed for an honorable and dignified path to ending the conflict.
Her discussions also focused on the importance of holding timely, credible,and transparent parliamentary and presidential elections and ensuringAfghan citizens can safely cast their votes, the statement read.
During her visit, Wells met with President Ashraf Ghani, CEO AbdullahAbdullah, acting foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani, National SecurityAdvisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar, High Peace Council Chairman Karim Khalili,members of the Independent Election Commission, and other Afghan leaders.
Wells also met with international partners to discuss ongoing US andinternational community support for efforts to promote long-term peace,security, and stability in Afghanistan and the region.
About 10 days ago, Wells told the US Committee on Foreign Affairs that theTrump administration would support all stakeholders, including the Afghangovernment, to reach a negotiated settlement to the decades old conflict.
She also said that the administration would not allow Afghanistan to becomea safe haven for terrorists.
At the time, she called on the Taliban to give up violence, end relationswith al-Qaeda, submit to the Constitution of Afghanistan, and ensureprotection of women’s rights.