New Delhi (NVI): With the crucial intra-Afghan talks underway in Qatar’s Doha, US special representative for Afghanistan peace Zalmay Khalilzad has said that the US will not allow personal interests to take precedence over national interests in the talks.
In an interview with TOLO News in Doha, Khalilzad said that the US is committed to safeguard Afghan people’s interest and find a solution to the years of conflict.
When asked about the possibility of a breakdown in the Afghan talks, Khalilzad said it would not be acceptable to the United States and that a solution to the Afghan crisis must be found.
“It is not acceptable and there is a solution to every problem, and a solution must be found. We are ready to help if the country’s interests come first and personal interests do not come first. I am confident that a solution will be found, and we will not allow personal interests to take precedence, and this is the promise of the United States to the people of Afghanistan,” Khalilzad told TOLO news.
The US special representative also said that some people inside Afghanistan prefer the current situation rather than peace with the Taliban and want to keep the US engaged in the war so that it can pay the price. He said, some elements are supporting the regional rivalries in Afghanistan and do not want peace to prevail.
“Some prefer the current situation rather than peace with the Taliban. For instance, within Afghanistan there are some who are trying to keep the US engaged in the war,” Khalilzad said.
While commenting on US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s remarks at opening ceremony of the talks yesterday, Khalilzad said that the talks are crucial as their outcome would influence the US. “We don’t want to impose a system (govt),” he added.
-ARK
