The US special envoy for Afghanistan, Thomas West, said that in meetings with key Afghans over the weekend he heard them say “violence is not a good path for Afghan people,” and they “prefer and are eager to engage in political process.”
West said in a series of tweets that he met with the Afghan journalists, bankers, rights activists, former governors and MPs, lawyers, civil servants, and ministers.
“Heard universal concern regarding human rights and especially expanded restrictions on women and girls’ rights. Stiff calls in every mtg for girls to return to secondary school and women to work,” he said.
Kabul says that the decision about the current Afghan situation will be taken in agreement with the people and that the Islamic Emirate is ready in this regard.
“The decision regarding Afghanistan is made by the government in agreement with the people and sides. The Islamic Emirate believes in the agreement, it now does so also,” said Inamullah Samangani, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate.
Based on some reports, the US envoy is expected to visit Tajikistan after concluding two days of travel to Turkey.
“They are trying to start negotiations to connect the politicians who are out of the government’s structure,” said Walif Frozan, an international relations’ analyst.
The Presidents of Iran and Tajikistan in a joint press conference in Teheran called for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan.
“There should be an inclusive government in Afghanistan to represent all tribes, parties and ethnics,” said Ebrahim Raisi, President of Iran.
“Our stance is that the formation of an inclusive government with the inclusion of representatives from tribal, political and social groups,” said Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan.
The formation of an inclusive government has been called for by the international community, but the Islamic Emirate said that the formation of the government is an internal Afghan matter.
The US special envoy for Afghanistan, Thomas West, held separate meetings with a number of Afghan figures including politicians, journalists and women activists in Turkey.
Some of the politicians who met with West said that overcoming the current Afghan crisis and the formation of an inclusive government were the main focus of the talks.
“The proposal of the High Council of Resistance and Rescue of Afghanistan and politicians was to continue the Doha negotiation, reach a political path, an interim government, and an election,” said Iqbal Safi, a former member of the parliament.
The Islamic Emirate said the commission of “Return and Communications with Former Afghan Officials and Political Figures,” will address the concerns of Afghans abroad.
“The Commission of Return and Communications with Former Afghan Officials and Political Figures was established for this purpose, to consider the problems of those who have concerns and compel them to return to the country,” said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate.
The US special envoy has yet to make any comment about the meetings with the Afghan politicians, journalists and women’s rights activists.
Earlier, West said he met with the chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, Abdullah Abdullah.
Muhammad Mohaqiq, leader of the People’s Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan said on Facebook that West had met with the representatives of political parties and members of the Resistance Council.
The council was formed several days ago by the Afghan political parties that are in Turkey.
“This is a strong signal to the Taliban… that there should be an inclusive government that can represent the reality of Afghanistan,” said Sayed Javad Sijadi, an international affairs analyst.—Tolonews
