Saturday, August 06, 2011 – The US Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker said, Afghans would lead the Bonn conference and there will be no place for the Taliban to take part in the conference.
While speaking during a press conference, the ambassador said, another conference will be held in Istanbul before the Bonn conference in which all the neighboring countries of Afghanistan will take part to assure Afghanistan of their commitment for peace and stability in the country.
Mr. Crocker further added, the world will commit of their continues support to Afghan government and the Taliban militants would be warned to have no other choice other than negotiations with the government.
Mr. Crocker said, instability and economical issues are the two main challenges which Afghanistan is facing and Washington is committed to cooperate with Kabul to resolve the issues.
He said, “we have two conferences, first is Istanbul in November and what we would hope to see and what Afghanistan hopes to see in Istanbul is going to be a commitment on the part of all of Afghanistan’s neighbours and near-neighbours, countries around Afghanistan, a written commitment … and work for the security and stability of Afghanistan.”
Mr. Crocker further added, “that pledge would then be endorsed by the entire world at the Bonn Conference and I think it would an extremely powerful statement to the Taliban and any others who want to challenge.”
In regards to Afghanistan’s neighboring countries, he said Pakistan could play a crucial role in the process of talks with the Taliban and for peace and stability in Afghanistan.
He said, no one including the Afghans, the United States and Pakistan, would want Afghanistan to fall in the hands of the Taliban once again.
Mr. Crocker said, “I do not think anyone wants to see Taliban take this country over again. Certainly Afghans don’t want to see it. Certainly Americans don’t want to see it. I don’t think Pakistanis want to see either.”
He also said, “We just have to find ways to work together and we are. Pakistan has a role to play. I think their influence is going to be very important in the process and we hope they use it in a decisive manner to encourage reconciliation.”
In regards to issues between Afghan government and Afghan parliament he said, the problem between executive and legislative branches of Afghan government is something common and there should be an Afghan way out to the problem.
The remarks came as the Taliban have shown interest for a political solution to end the combat with the Afghan government, the New York Times reported.
The Times quoted US officials saying the Taliban have recently sent two messages in which they call for peace talks with the government before the withdrawal of foreign troops.
