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US Envoy Thomas West: 'Honest Dialogue' Taking Place With Kabul

The US special envoy for Afghanistan Thomas West said there are some productive relationships being formed and there is “honest dialogue" between the US and members of the Islamic Emirate.   

West made the remarks in an exclusive interview with TOLOnews’ Hamid Bahraam.   

“On the matter of trust, what I would tell you is that I do think we are building some productive relationships and an honest dialogue with members of the Taliban,” he said.   

However, he said, there are some issues that need trust-building such as women’s rights and the space for journalists to continue their work.   

“On certain issues, yes, we are developing a greater candor and honesty with one another. I think our conversation regarding terrorism is also more honest than it was before,” the US envoy said.   

Referring to the meetings in Oslo, West suggested that such dialogues should continue inside Afghanistan.   

“I think some of the key requests that they have of the Taliban, the Afghans have of the Taliban, are the same requests of the international community--for an open consultative process, of movement from an acting to a permanent capacity,” he said. “…They want to be sure that protestors are able to do so peacefully, to continue their work. They want to see women protestors who were recently detained released. They want to see journalists be able to do their jobs and so I think that dialogue was very positive.”   

While asked about the girls’ access to education, the US envoy said that the Afghans “are going to decide what is best for the country” but the girls’ return to all level of schools after Nawroz,  the solar new year in March, is the "clear desire" of the international community.   

This comes as the Islamic Emirate’s spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid in an RTA video on Facebook said that plans are underway to facilitate an educational environment for girls and boys.  

"There are tremendous plans underway to provide educational opportunities for girls and boys under an Islamic structure in the future so that the education problems will be solved,” Mujahid said.   

West told TOLOnews that donors are working to provide a large fund for the Afghan education sector but the international community would expect “in return” the reopening of schools at “all levels” for girls and women.

In response to a question over whether the Islamic Emirate will stay committed to its promises of reopening girls’ schools, the US envoy said that he is “cautiously” optimistic. 

The US envoy urged the Islamic Emirate to start a consultative process using a traditional mechanism such as the Loya Jirga.   

“There have been ideas…by Afghan political leaders about perhaps large gatherings large traditional gatherings… mentioned Loya Jirga. It is not for us to make a decision about whether or not that is right, that is for Afghans to decide,” he said,   

“but there are traditional mechanisms within Afghan society, within Afghan history that would make clear that the Taliban were ... consulting with leadership from across Afghan society and I haven’t seen that yet,” West added.   

A spokesman for the Islamic Emirate said that work is underway for the formation of an inclusive government.   

“The Islamic Emirate is trying to have a meaningful and inclusive government in the future. The negotiations are being continued on several sides of the issue.,” said Inamullah Samangani, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate.  

Referring to the current crisis in Afghanistan, West said “we made very clear that if we see a military takeover,” the economic support that Afghanistan relies on will cease.   

US Envoy Thomas West: 'Honest Dialogue' Taking Place With Kabul

TOLOnews held an exclusive interview with Thomas West, US special representative for Afghanistan.

تصویر بندانگشتی

The US special envoy for Afghanistan Thomas West said there are some productive relationships being formed and there is “honest dialogue" between the US and members of the Islamic Emirate.   

West made the remarks in an exclusive interview with TOLOnews’ Hamid Bahraam.   

“On the matter of trust, what I would tell you is that I do think we are building some productive relationships and an honest dialogue with members of the Taliban,” he said.   

However, he said, there are some issues that need trust-building such as women’s rights and the space for journalists to continue their work.   

“On certain issues, yes, we are developing a greater candor and honesty with one another. I think our conversation regarding terrorism is also more honest than it was before,” the US envoy said.   

Referring to the meetings in Oslo, West suggested that such dialogues should continue inside Afghanistan.   

“I think some of the key requests that they have of the Taliban, the Afghans have of the Taliban, are the same requests of the international community--for an open consultative process, of movement from an acting to a permanent capacity,” he said. “…They want to be sure that protestors are able to do so peacefully, to continue their work. They want to see women protestors who were recently detained released. They want to see journalists be able to do their jobs and so I think that dialogue was very positive.”   

While asked about the girls’ access to education, the US envoy said that the Afghans “are going to decide what is best for the country” but the girls’ return to all level of schools after Nawroz,  the solar new year in March, is the "clear desire" of the international community.   

This comes as the Islamic Emirate’s spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid in an RTA video on Facebook said that plans are underway to facilitate an educational environment for girls and boys.  

"There are tremendous plans underway to provide educational opportunities for girls and boys under an Islamic structure in the future so that the education problems will be solved,” Mujahid said.   

West told TOLOnews that donors are working to provide a large fund for the Afghan education sector but the international community would expect “in return” the reopening of schools at “all levels” for girls and women.

In response to a question over whether the Islamic Emirate will stay committed to its promises of reopening girls’ schools, the US envoy said that he is “cautiously” optimistic. 

The US envoy urged the Islamic Emirate to start a consultative process using a traditional mechanism such as the Loya Jirga.   

“There have been ideas…by Afghan political leaders about perhaps large gatherings large traditional gatherings… mentioned Loya Jirga. It is not for us to make a decision about whether or not that is right, that is for Afghans to decide,” he said,   

“but there are traditional mechanisms within Afghan society, within Afghan history that would make clear that the Taliban were ... consulting with leadership from across Afghan society and I haven’t seen that yet,” West added.   

A spokesman for the Islamic Emirate said that work is underway for the formation of an inclusive government.   

“The Islamic Emirate is trying to have a meaningful and inclusive government in the future. The negotiations are being continued on several sides of the issue.,” said Inamullah Samangani, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate.  

Referring to the current crisis in Afghanistan, West said “we made very clear that if we see a military takeover,” the economic support that Afghanistan relies on will cease.   

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