WASHINGTON – The United States and Qatar have agreed to sign an agreement,allowing Doha to facilitate any formal communication between Washington andKabul where the Taliban are in the power.
The move shows a potential direct engagement between the US and theTaliban, who seized control of the war-torn country after two decades ofwar. The development for restoring communication comes despite the factthat the US has not recongised the Afghan government so far.
Many other countries including European states are reluctant to formallyrecognize the Taliban as they fear that they will not give rights to ethnicgroups and women.
As the winter approaching, several countries realize that they need toreach out people of Afghanistan who are at the brink of humanitarian crisis.
The agreement between the US and Qatar will come into effect on Dec. 31,when Qatar will appoint staff from its embassy in Afghanistan to a USInterests Section and will coordinate closely with US State Department andwith US mission in Doha, reported Reuters.
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The US official said Washington would also continue its engagement with theTaliban through the Qatari capital, Doha, where the Taliban have set up apolitical office for years.
“As our protecting power, Qatar will assist the United States in providinglimited consular services to our citizens and in protecting US interests inAfghanistan,” the report quoted a US official as saying.
