KABUL – Afghanistan government has unveiled a 7 point document* mapping outsuggestions on the building blocks for peace-making* with Afghan Taliban.
1. A political process: ceasefire, recognition as political party,transitional confidence-building arrangements, and inclusive, credible,free and fair elections;
2. A legal framework: constitutional review, justice and resolution ofgrievances, enabling laws or decrees, prisoner release and removal fromsanctions lists;
3. Reorganization of the state: rule of law and reform, balanced spatialdevelopment, reintegration of refugees and internally displaced populations;
4. Security: for the population, as well as for those being reconciled -who are reintegrating;
5. Economic/social development: inclusive and sustained growth, equitableaccess to land and public assets, fighting corruption, national jobcreation programs, reintegration of refugees, and ex-combatants;
6. International community support and partnership: diplomatic financialsupport, status of foreign fighters and removal from sanctions;
7. Implementation modalities, specifying urgent, short and medium-termbenchmarks and monitoring and verification mechanisms and arrangements.
The document also stated that “the Taliban are expected to give input tothe peace-making process, the goal of which is to draw the Taliban, as anorganization, to peace talks. The government does not pre-judge as to whowill opt for peace, as the process will result in self-identification ofthose rejecting peace as irreconcilables.”
In addition, the NUG has agreed to the opening of a Taliban office,the issuance of passports and freedom of travel, helping toremove sanctions (against Taliban leaders), arranging media access, andrelocating families.
The document states that the HPC, supported by a professional governmentsupport team, will nominate a negotiation team, including women and civilsociety members. Kabul is the preferred venue, but other options includeMuslim countries not engaged in the conflict, a UN facility, or a thirdparty country.
In mapping out the road forward, the document also notes suggestions forthe international community in terms of where their support is needed.