A group of senior American diplomats held important discussions with representatives from the Taliban and technocratic professionals in Doha on July 30 and 31. The meeting focused on critical issues concerning Afghanistan’s well-being and humanitarian crisis, as mentioned in a media release by the State Department.
Led by Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West, the US delegation included Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights Rina Amiri, and Chief of the US Mission to Afghanistan Karen Decker. During the meeting, the US delegation emphasized the need to build mutual trust and confidence to support the Afghan people amid the ongoing humanitarian situation.
Deep concern was expressed regarding the deteriorating human rights situation, with particular attention to the rights of women, girls, and vulnerable communities. The Taliban was urged to reverse policies related to detentions, media restrictions, and religious practices, with a strong emphasis on upholding human rights.
The United States firmly supported the Afghan people’s demands for their rights to be respected and their voices to be heard in shaping the future of their nation. The meeting also included essential talks on the Afghan economy and challenges in the banking sector.
Positive trends in declining inflation and growth in merchandise exports and imports paved the way for willingness from US officials to engage in technical dialogue aimed at economic stabilization.
Both sides discussed efforts to fulfill security commitments, acknowledging the Taliban’s commitment to prevent Afghanistan from being a threat to the United States and its allies. The US delegation recognized a decrease in large-scale terrorist attacks against Afghan civilians.
However, the US delegation emphasized the pressing need for the immediate and unconditional release of detained US citizens, considering it a significant barrier to positive engagement.
The discussion also touched on the Taliban’s ban on opium poppy cultivation, leading to a decline in cultivation during the recent growing season. Despite this progress, concerns were raised over the continued trafficking and sale of processed opiates and synthetic drugs.
The US delegation expressed openness to further dialogue on counternarcotics initiatives, highlighting the complexity of addressing critical issues in Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis.
Overall, the meeting aimed to address the pressing concerns related to the well-being of the Afghan people and find avenues for constructive engagement and cooperation with the Taliban to navigate the humanitarian challenges facing the nation.
Sources By Agencies
