MOSCOW – Pakistan Russia and China to take new initiative at UN overregional security scenario linked with Afghanistan.
Russia along with China and Pakistan will hold consultations on Afghanistanon the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Russia’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov told Anadolu Agencythat Russia to help the U.S. and Taliban overcome the impasse in the wakeof U.S. President Donald Trump canceling talks at Camp David with theTaliban and the Afghan government earlier this month, apparently on theverge of an agreement.
“We have been providing diplomatic assistance,” said Kabulov, pledgingconsultations with both sides as well as with the regional partners toreopen the talks.
Kabulov said Russia is stressing the need to continue the dialogue, whilethe Taliban has “certified its readiness to retake its place at thenegotiating table.”
“In addition, we count on holding consultations with our American partnersin the nearest future and urge them to return to the dialogue,” he added.
“We also maintain contact with colleagues from other countries on theAfghan settlement, discussing the pause in the U.S.-Taliban dialogue. Inthe same vein, we expect that we will be able to hold the next round of theRussia-China-U.S. ‘Troika’ meetings with the integration of Pakistan on thesidelines of the 74th UN General Assembly in New York.”
‘When diplomats fall silent, guns begin to speak’
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Moscow is sure that there is no alternative to a political and diplomaticpath to Afghan settlement and is looking to a resumption of the talksbetween the U.S. and Taliban with the signing of a peace accord as anoutcome, Kabulov said.
“According to a well-known saying, when diplomats fall silent, guns beginto speak. Unfortunately, the protracting of the ‘pause’ in the negotiationprocess leads to an escalation of hostilities. We are already witnessing anincrease in armed activity on the part of both pro-government forces andthe armed opposition,” said Kabulov.
The diplomat stressed that “a new cycle of violence” leads to more civiliancasualties, more suffering for the people of Afghanistan, and more refugeesand destruction.
“Therefore we call on the parties to refrain from escalating hostilitiesand to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible,” Kabulov said.
Another impact the current crisis has on Afghan political life is revivingthe presidential elections set for Sept. 28, as the U.S.-Taliban deal hadsuggested forming an interim government with the movement’s representation,he said.
