United Nations, United States: The United Nations envoy to Afghanistan onThursday urged the Taliban to take up an offer by the Afghan government ofdirect talks on peace.
“The offer of negotiation is on the table,” said Tadamichi Yamamoto at aSecurity Council meeting to mark the annual renewal of the UN mission tothe war-torn country.
“It is now incumbent upon the Taliban to come forward with an offer oftheir own, and start direct talks with the government to put an end to thesuffering of the Afghan people,” he said.
“Making peace and reaching out to opponents requires resolve, courage andabove all national unity,” he added. “Political leaders need to place thenational interest above partisan agenda.”
He said he hoped that parliamentary elections could be held in 2018 and apresidential vote in 2019.
He also expressed concern about the growing number of civilian casualtiesat the hands of Daesh in Khorasan province.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) was launchedin March 2002 to help Afghans build a more stable and peaceful society,although 16 years later the country is still racked by violence andinstability.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani recently unveiled a plan to open talks withthe Taliban, including eventually recognizing them as a political party.
In return, Ghani said the militants should officially recognize the Afghangovernment and constitution, a perennial sticking point in past attempts toopen talks. – APP /AFP