Mullah Baradar, Khalilzad ink agreement; If you remain committed, we are with you, warns Pompeo; Baradar says wants to thank Pakistan for their role: US to withdraw troops in 14 months
Doha
The United States signed a landmark deal with the Taliban on Saturday, laying out a timetable for a full troop withdrawal from Afghanistan within 14 months as it seeks an exit from its longest-ever war.
The agreement is expected to lead to a dialogue between the Taliban and the Kabul government that, if successful, could ultimately see an end to the grinding 18-year conflict.
Taliban fighter-turned-dealmaker Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar signed the accord alongside Washington’s chief negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad, at a gilded desk in a conference room in a luxury Doha hotel.
The pair then shook hands, as people in the room shouted “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest).
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo looked on as the two inked the deal, after urging the militants to “keep your promises to cut ties with Al-Qaeda”.
On the eve of the signing, President Donald Trump urged the Afghan people to embrace the chance for a new future. “If the Taliban and the government of Afghanistan live up to these commitments, we will have a powerful path forward to end the war in Afghanistan and bring our troops home,” he said.
But the position of the Afghan government, which has been excluded from direct US-Taliban talks, remains unclear and the country is gripped by a fresh political crisis amid contested election results.
“I know there will be a temptation to declare victory, but victory for Afghans will only be achieved when they can live in peace and prosper,” , Pompeo added.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by leaders of 30 countries, including Pakistan, Turkey, the UK, Germany, Russia and Iran. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi represented Pakistan.
A six-member group of representatives of the Afghan government who are currently in Doha did not attend, as the Taliban objected to their presence at the ceremony. The Taliban had stressed that the treaty is between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (represented by the Taliban) and the US.
The Doha accord was drafted over a tempestuous year of dialogue marked by the abrupt cancellation of the effort by Trump in September.
A comprehensive and sustainable peace agreement includes four parts: 1) guarantees
to prevent the use of Afghan soil by any international terrorist groups or individuals against the security of the United States and its allies, 2) a timeline for the withdrawal of all U.S. and Coalition forces from Afghanistan, 3) a political settlement resulting from intra-Afghan dialogue and negotiations between the Taliban and an inclusive negotiating team of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and 4) a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire. These four parts are interrelated and interdependent. Pursuit of peace after long years of fighting reflects the goal of all parties who seek a sovereign, unified Afghanistan at peacewith itself and its neighbours.
The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan furthermore reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to prevent any international terrorist groups or individuals, including al-Qa’ida and ISIS-K, from using Afghan soil to threaten the security of the United States, its allies and other countries. To accelerate the pursuit of peace, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan confirms its support for the phased withdrawal of U.S. and Coalition forces subject to the Taliban’s fulfillment of its commitments under the U.S.-Taliban agreement and any agreement resulting from intra-Afghan negotiations.
The United States re-affirmed its commitments regarding support for the Afghan security forces and other government institutions, including through ongoing efforts to enhance the ability of Afghan security forces to deter and respond to internal and external threats, consistent with its commitments under existing security agreements between the two governments. This commitment includes support to Afghan security forces to prevent al-Qa’ida, ISIS-K, and other international terrorist groups or individuals from using Afghan soil to threaten the United States and its allies.
The United States will reduce the number of its military forces in Afghanistan to 8,600 and implement other commitments in the U.S.-Taliban agreement within 135 days of the announcement of this joint declaration and the U.S.-Taliban agreement, and will work with its allies and the Coalition to reduce proportionally the number of Coalition forces in Afghanistanover an equivalent period, subject to the Taliban’s fulfillment of its commitments under the U.S.-
Taliban agreement .Consistent with the joint assessment and determination between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the United States, its allies, and the Coalition will complete the withdrawal of their remaining forces from Afghanistan within 14 months following the
announcement of this joint declaration and the U.S.-Taliban agreement, and will withdraw all
their forces from remaining bases, subject to the Taliban’s fulfillment of its commitments under
the U.S.-Taliban agreement. “The United States re-affirms its commitment to seek funds on a yearly basis that support the training, equipping, advising and sustaining of Afghan security forces, so that Afghanistan can independently secure and defend itself against internal and external threats.
“The United States and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan are committed to continue positive relations, including economic cooperation for reconstruction and will refrain from the threat or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Afghanistan or intervening in its domestic affairs. The United States will also continue to work to build regional and international consensus to support the ongoing effort to achieve a political settlement to the principal conflict in Afghanistan.
“We have endured decades of hostility; previous talks have faltered. The agreement we will sign today is a true testament of our actions,” Pompeo said, thanking the emir of Qatar for his assistance in the negotiations. “Violence levels [in Afghanistan] have reaced the lowest point in the last 40 years. The Taliban have demonstrated that when they have the will to be peaceful, they can be,” Pompeo said.
“We are just at the beginning — furthering the cause of peace will require sacrifice by all sides. This agreement will not mean anything if we do not take concrete action on the promises made today.
“Keep your promises to cut ties with Al Qaeda; keep up the fight to defeat ISIS. All Afghans deserve to live and prosper without fear. The Afghanistan of 2020 is not the same as the Afghanistan of 2001. If you remain committed to negotiations with the Afghan government, we and the international community will reciprocate,” he said.
“The agreement is good for the nation of Afghanistan and the international community. I congratulate everyone,” Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar said, speaking after Pompeo. “We want a positive relationship with all. We are committed to enforce this agreement and we want, as a political force, to maintain positive relationships with our neighbours and the regional and international community.
“The Afghan nation has been suffering for the past four decades and we hope that with the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan, the nation will embark on a new and prosperous life. “We all want unity and prosperity of our nation. I call on all Afghan factions to honestly and sincerely — for the establishment of a strong Islamic system — come to the negotiations,” he urged.
“I would like to thank the Pakistanis for their work and assistance for this peace. I will also like to thank China, Uzbekistan, Russia, Iran and other countries who supported the peace process. I hope that they will participate in the rebuilding of Afghanistan,” he concluded. “Peace and blessings be upon you all.” Speaking on the occasion, Qureshi said: “A new era will start if the peace agreement is implemented intelligently. [But] we have to see how the mistrust can be addressed. “If the doubts are not addressed, then we will lose this important chance,” he cautioned. Saudi Arabia welcomed the peace agreement, and hoped it will lead to a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire, the Kingdom’s foreign ministry said. After an initial reduction of troops to 8,600 within 135 days of Saturday’s signing, the US and its partners “will complete withdrawal of all remaining forces from Afghanistan” within 14 months. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg heralded the agreement as a “first step to lasting peace”. “The way to peace is long and hard. We have to be prepared for setbacks, spoilers, there is no easy way to peace but this is an important first step,” the Norwegian former prime minister told reporters in Kabul.Since the US-led invasion that ousted the Taliban after the September 11, 2001 attacks, America has spent more than $1 trillion in fighting and rebuilding in Afghanistan.–Agencies
