US only interested in bringing Taliban to negotiation table, Kerry says
Iran Press TV
Tue Mar 26, 2013 12:31AM GMT
US Secretary of State John Kerry says Washington has no interest in Afghanistan other than getting the Taliban to the negotiation table to make peace.
Kerry made the remarks on Monday after holding a private meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul. He is on an unannounced visit to Afghanistan.
"I am confident the president (Karzai) does not believe the US has any interest except to see the Taliban come to the table to make peace and that we are completely cooperative with the government of Afghanistan with respect to the protection of their efforts and their people," the US secretary of state said.
Karzai had accused Washington of colluding with Taliban militants to keep Afghanistan insecure and to justify the presence of foreign forces in the war-torn country.
"We're on the same page," Kerry declared. "I don't think there is any disagreement between us and I am very, very comfortable with the president's explanation."
On Sunday, Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesman Janan Mosazai said that Karzai would go to Doha to hold meetings with Qatari officials regarding peace talks with the Taliban.
"President Karzai's trip is the result of an invitation from the Qatari Emir and will involve discussions about mutual cooperation and the [Taliban] peace process", Mosazai added.
“This office should be used only as an address for talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban... This office should not be used for any other purpose,” he added.
Last year, the Taliban announced reaching a preliminary agreement with Qatar to open a liaison office in the Arab state.
The US-led war in Afghanistan began in 2001. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but insecurity continues to rise across Afghanistan, despite the presence of about over 100,000 US-led troops.
GJH/AS
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