WASHINGTON: The Taliban must ensure that Afghanistan does not become asanctuary for extremists before the United States withdraws troops, the topUS general said Wednesday.
“I’m not using the ‘withdrawal’ word right now,” General Joseph Dunford,chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters as the United Statesnegotiated with the militants in Qatar.
“I’m using we’re going to make sure that Afghanistan is not a sanctuary,and we’re going to try to have an effort to bring peace and stability toAfghanistan.”
He said any deal should also lead to dialogue between the Taliban and theAfghan government for a broader peace agreement.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper, standing next to him, also said the deal mustguarantee that Afghanistan “is no longer a safe haven for terrorists toattack the United States.”
The United States is negotiating with the militants to pull out troopsfirst sent after the September 11, 2001 attacks carried out by Al-Qaeda,who enjoyed shelter by the former Taliban regime.
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The United States has consistently said it does not want Afghanistan to bea haven for extremists as it fought the Taliban and prop up theinternationally backed government in Kabul.
But Dunford said it was clear that there needed to be a negotiated solution.
“I think any of us who have served there have long known that what’s goingto be required is a negotiated peace settlement,” he said. -APP/AFP
