Kabul: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has in a letter to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani made several suggestions to the Afghan government for strengthening the peace process.
Blinken’s suggestions
include convening a United Nations facilitated conference that would involve all international stakeholders, proposals to facilitate discussion between the Afghan Government and Taliban to form a negotiated settlement and ceasefire.
He also suggested a meeting in Turkey between both sides to finalize a peace agreement, and a revised proposal for a 90-day reduction in violence.
Blinken also made it clear that the United States is deliberating on all options regarding Afghanistan, including the May 1st deadline for full withdrawal.
As per a report by Tolonews Blinken in the letter suggested that the UN should convene a meeting of foreign ministers and envoys from Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India and the US to discuss a unified approach to supporting peace in Afghanistan.
Secondly, US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad should share with President Ghani and the Taliban leaders written proposals “aimed at accelerating discussions on a negotiated settlement and ceasefire. “These proposals reflect some of the ideas included in the roadmap for the peace process,” Blinken wrote. On this point, Blinken elaborated: “In sharing these documents, we do not intend to dictate terms to the parties…. Rather the documents will enable the Islamic Republic and the Taliban to move urgently to the tasks of developing a) the foundational principles that will guide Afghanistan’s future constitutional and governing arrangements b) a roadmap to a new, inclusive government and c) the terms of a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire.”
Another plan of Blinken will involve Turkey, which will be asked to host a senior-level meeting between the Afghan Government and the Taliban
within the coming weeks to finalize a peace agreement. Blinken urged Ghani or some of his high-ranking officials to attend the meeting.
Blinken also said that the US has prepared a revised proposal for a 90-day reduction in violence, “which is intended to prevent a spring offensive by the Taliban and to coincide with diplomatic efforts to support a political settlement between the two parties.” He asked President Ghani to “positively consider” the proposal for the reduction in violence.
Blinken proposes new steps for peace in Afghanistan
