KABUL – Afghanistan has responded back to the letter written by the AfganTaliban to the Americans urging them to ask their President not to wasteAmerican tax payers money on a futile war in Afghanistan.

Earlier the US administration had also reacted over the same letter,however the Afghanistan government response has surfaced now.

*Mohammad Akram Khpalwak, an advisor to the president and head secretary ofHigh Peace Council, on Tuesday said in Kabul at a National ConsultativePeace Conference with tribal and Jihadi elders and provincial councilrepresentatives, that the Taliban should approach Afghans to end the warinstead of sending letters to the United States, TOLO News has reported. *

“The Taliban should have approached Afghans to end current violence inAfghanistan instead of sending letters to the US,” said Khpalwak.

Last week the Taliban called on the American people to put pressure on USPresident Donald Trump to change his war policy in Afghanistan and pursuepeace.

The letter, which was addressed to “the American people”, says the USinvaded Afghanistan for three goals: “Establishing security by eliminatingthe so-called terrorists inside Afghanistan, restoring law and order byestablishing a legal government and eradicating narcotics”. However, theletter says the US and its allies have failed to achieve these goals.

The letter mentioned that the continuance of war and remaining of US forcesin Afghanistan was not in favor of anyone and that this “threatens thestability of the world”.

“Your president and his military and political officials following his warpolicies still speak the language of war in Afghanistan,” the letter read.

The Taliban asked the American people that if they want peaceful dialoguewith Afghans specifically and with the world generally, then they need tomake their president (Donald Trump) and the “war-mongering congressmen andPentagon officials understand this reality and compel them to adopt arational policy towards Afghanistan”.

Tuesday’s conference, organized by the HPC, has brought together more than800 influential Afghans from across 34 provinces.

HPC chairman Mohammad Karim Khalili also addressed the conference said thatAfghans are pro-peace and support peace.

“We have been consulting with all the people of Afghanistan about peace andsecurity, all the people in the country are pro-peace and support our voicefor peace,” Khalili said.

He said Afghan people believe in peace and that a military approach is notthe solution.

Khalili also pointed out that President Ashraf Ghani’s recent visit to thecouncil was testimony to government’s commitment for peace.

“The presence of Ashraf Ghani the president of Islamic Republic ofAfghanistan in such a critical situation at HPC and providing assurancesfor continuation of negotiations, is demonstrating the commitment of thegovernment for peace,” Khalili added.

On February 3 Ghani addressed the general session of the High Peace Councilmeeting after a string of deadly attacks in Kabul and said the peace doorfor those involved in recent attacks in Afghanistan was no longer open andthat government will hunt down the attackers no matter where they arehiding.

“The door of peace for those behind the tragedy (in Afghanistan) isclosed,” he said.

“We will chase them (militants) anywhere they hide. Afghanistan will takerevenge, but wisely.”

Speaking to delegates at Tuesday’s conference, Khalili said that someforeign circles want to sabotage peace efforts.

“Some foreign circles are seriously trying to sabotage peace efforts in thecountry and recent attacks are an indication (of this),” Khalili said.

Khalili called upon all delegates to carry messages of peace to their areasand communities and cooperate with the HPC council.

“We call upon all of you as influential figures from across the country totake peace messages to each nook and corner of the community,” Khaliliadded.

Meanwhile Khpalwak said that efforts are under way for peace in Afghanistan.

“Efforts are going on for peace in Afghanistan at national andinternational levels, Kabul Process (meeting) is a clear indication of suchefforts,” said Khpalwak.

“We all are responsible for bringing about peace, it is the duty of eachAfghan. We the tribes request you to devise a clear peace mechanism,” saidAbdul Qayom Khan, a tribal elder from the south-east.

Delegates meanwhile also called on neighboring countries to help Afghanreach peace and security instead of adding to the violence.

“We kindly request the neighboring countries not to add to our suffering,instead of supporting violence and conflict, help us build peace andsecurity and assist us in education and prosperity,” said Talib Jan, atribal elder from Kandahar.