Posted on 08/12/2019 6:44:36 AM PDT by robowombat
Afghanistan's Fate 'Can't Be Decided Outside,' President Says
By RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan August 11, 2019
KABUL -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has rejected foreign interference and called for the presidential election to be held next month as planned, amid talks between the United States and the Taliban aimed at bringing the nearly 18-year war in Afghanistan to an end.
"Without a legitimate and strong government that comes through an election, Afghans won't be able to achieve a dignified peace," Ghani said in a televised speech on August 11 marking the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha.
Ghani insisted that peace was only possible "between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban movement."
"Our future cannot be decided outside, he said, adding: "The fate of Afghanistan will be decided here in this homeland. We don't want anyone to intervene in our affairs."
Ghani made the comments as U.S. and Taliban negotiators appeared to be closing in on a peace agreement without the Western-backed government in Kabul at the table.
Both sides have cited "progress" in their negotiations in Qatar, where the militant group has a political office.
Few details have emerged, but a U.S.-Taliban deal would cover the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan in exchange for guarantees by the Taliban that Afghanistan would not become a haven for other extremist groups.
Such an accord would be followed by intra-Afghan peace negotiations on a political settlement and a permanent cease-fire.
Washington has said it wants a deal finalized by September 1, and some U.S. officials have hinted at the possibility that the presidential polls scheduled for September 28 could be canceled in the event of a peace settlement and the formation of an interim government that the Taliban would join.
In his August 11 speech, Ghani said: "We don't want a peace in which Afghans wouldn't have dignity. We don't want a peace that would cause people to leave their country. We don't want brain drain and we don't want investment drain."
Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen issued a statement expressing hope that Afghanistan "will celebrate future Eids under the Islamic system, without occupation, under an environment of permanent peace and unity."
The Taliban has so far refused to negotiate with the Afghan government, calling it a "puppet regime."
On August 6, the militants denounced the presidential vote as a "sham," and warned fellow Afghans to stay away from campaign rallies and the polls, saying such gatherings could be targeted.
Afghanistan can never be civilized.
Get out now.
well, that’s a problem, because it can’t be decided inside, either.
Their fate was sealed when they embraced Islam. It will not change until and unless they are able to get rid of it.
100% correct.
Who the hell cares?
Afghanistan region seems to have been ‘odd’ before embracing muzzardry. Alex the Great’s army spent three years there trying to pacify the natives with an indifferent level of success. The Greeks in Bactria had to fight for their lives almost from day one.
How did that “War on Terror” work out for America? How has “nation building” and “regime change” worked out? I will never believe in Ron Paulism but America has lost its way since 9/11. We should have defeated Islam like we obliterated Japan and Nazi Germany. The feeling is that we will “co-exist” and declare defeat by shrinking and receding as Islam swarms.
Get out now. Let China have their turn.
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