WASHINGTON – US envoy for Afghanistan Thomas West will travel to Doha nextweek for two weeks of meetings with Taliban leaders.
US state department spokesperson Ned Price, in a press briefing on Tuesday,confirmed the crucial meeting with the Taliban leaders in Qatar’s capital.
Ned said both sides will exchange views on national interests includingcounterterrorism, along with safe passage for US citizens and for Afghansto whom we have a special commitment and that includes humanitarianassistance and the economic situation of the country.
US special envoy Thomas West had earlier said that the US is concernedabout the rise in attacks by IS and other militant groups in the war-torncountry while the presence Al-Qaeda is also a matter of concern.
He spoke to media personnel by telephone from Belgium, where he briefedNATO allies on the issues concerning Afghanistan. US envoy also heldconsultations on a ‘road map’ for the recognition of the Taliban government.
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Recently, Thomas West, also reacted to the letter of the Islamic Emirate tothe US Congress that called for the release of central bank assets.
The economic and financial problems in Afghanistan are rooted in thefreezing of the Afghan assets by the US officials, the letter. Meanwhile,the West responded that the US had made it clear to the Taliban years agothat taking power by force would result in a non-humanitarian aid cut.
US envoy also added the US will continue engaging with the Islamic Emiratediplomatically but legitimacy should be earned by the Taliban by takingsteps toward forming an inclusive government and respecting human rights,especially women’s rights.
