Engage with Taliban, ex-US diplomat asks world

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): America’s desire to modernise Afghanistan led to problems, says former US ambassador Robin Raphel.

The crisis worsened as the powerful defence lobby in the US exploited the opportunities in Afghanistan, she believed.

Addressing participants of an event in Islamabad on Tuesday, she acknowledged the Taliban as an indigenous movement.

An expert on Pakistan affairs, the ex-diplomat underlined the need for the world to work with the Taliban for normalising the situation.

Interested in helping Afghans become a modern state, the US still wanted to retain a robust diplomatic presence in that country, she believed.

The current humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan being most important issue should be addressed on priority, Raphel suggested.

Another former US ambassador, Cameron Munter, said Washington wanted Islamabad as a partner, as there was a lot that needed to be done for the region.

Ex-Pakistan foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Chinese Deputy Ambassador Pang Chunxue, Russian Ambassador Danila Ganich and British High Commissioner Dr Christian Turner also addressed the Margalla Dialogue.

Russian Ambassador Danila Ganich said Moscow was appreciative of Pakistan’s role in combating terrorism and bringing peace to Afghanistan.

mud

Hits: 16