KABUL : The United States and its NATO allies demanded on Sunday that theTaliban end a string of assassinations, kidnappings and destruction ofvital infrastructure in Afghanistan, after intra-Afghan talks on nationalreconciliation grounded to a halt.
“We expect the Taliban to demonstrate its support for the people ofAfghanistan by ending the violence, stopping the destruction of vitalinfrastructure and committing to a sustainable peace,” a joint statementpublished by the US embassy in Kabul read.
The allies accused the insurgency of digging up roads, destroying celltowers and blowing up energy stations, which they warned compounded theeconomic woes of people on the ground.
The peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban began earlierthis month but no progress has been made. Instead, the Taliban’s Doha-basedleader embarked on a trip to Iran on Sunday for talks with Foreign MinisterJavad Zarif on the implementation of the Doha deal with the US.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby accused the militant group this week offailing to meet their commitment of ending violent attacks on Afghansecurity forces and civilians.
A Taliban spokesman denied that the Taliban flouted the terms of the pactand in turn urged the US to stick to their agreements.
Earlier in Kabul, A member of the Afghan government’s peace negotiatingteam warned the Taliban that if they don’t resume peace talks in Qatarsoon, the government could recall the team before a deal is reached.
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Government negotiator Rasul Talib said on Sunday in a news conference thatthe team is waiting for the return of the Taliban leadership to Doha, wherethe second round of peace talks began this month but has made littleprogress.
He asked the Taliban to “stop spreading baseless remarks” and return to thenegotiating table, adding
“The Taliban does not have the guts for peace, they are spreading nonsensearound.”
Talib’s comments came as the Taliban leadership has recently been in Iranand Russia for discussions on the negotiations, and as President JoeBiden’s new administration has said it plans to review the peace agreementsigned last February between the United States and the Taliban.
There was no immediate response from the Taliban.
