US peace hopes in Nawaz's Afghan initiative

NNI, Jan 16

WASHINGTON: Karl Inderfurth, US Assistant Secretary of State, has said that the recent steps taken by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have encouraged the United States and given hopes for initiation of peace process in the war-torn country.

"Mr. Sharif is trying to bring different Afghan groups to negotiation table. We are hopeful that (as a result of the ongoing efforts) war inside Afghanistan will come to an end," Inderfurth said in an interview with BBC.

"All the ongoing efforts can be termed as a head-way," he said in reference to diplomatic efforts by regional countries and international mediators.

Questioned as to what progress has jointly been made by the US, Pakistan and Iran in their reconciliation efforts, he said "This was a peace effort sponsored by the UN Secretary General's special envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi. The group comprises eight countries, which include six neighboring countries, besides, United States and Russia". He said the neighboring countries by using their influence on different groups in Afghanistan could play their key role.

However, he said, it largely depends upon the Afghan groups to either continue the war or build peace in their country.

The US government is very much in agreement with Afghan women group and international human rights organizations that want a mollifying change in Taliban's rigid policies towards women.

Females, both women and girls, should be allowed to do job and get education and their right respected in Afghanistan, Mr. Inderfurth told BBC. "We want that Taliban should change their policy towards womenfolk and this is what which the world body also desire", he added.

Asked what criteria the US has set to recognize Taliban, he said: "We want that Taliban and other opposition groups including Northern Alliance should agree on cease-fire and express willingness for dialogue." A broad-based government, which must represent all factions and segments of the Afghan society should be formed as "military solution to the Afghan problem is quite impossible. USA will not formally recognize Taliban unless a broad-based government is formed and women and their rights are respected," he told BBC.

Asked how American companies will invest in the oil pipeline in Afghanistan if Washington does not recognizes Taliban, Inderfurth said "It is obvious that the oil companies, which are planning to lay oil pipeline, do hope that peace must return to Afghanistan. I always talk about peace in Afghanistan as the country has been witnessing war for the last eighteen years".

Relentless hostilities in Afghanistan have grown internal concern, he said adding that in the absence of peace no international investment in, any oil pipeline will be impossible. If peace is restored, the pipeline will prove very important for the economic development of Afghanistan.

Asked whether UNOCAL, which had been imparting training to Taliban technicians in Afghanistan, enjoys US State Department's supports, he said the State department has not been encouraging such activities. UNOCAL, he added, has itself spoken in favor of a broad-based government in Afghanistan.

To a question Iderfurth said there is no change in US policy towards Taliban. "Many countries including America were looking at the Taliban Movement as a new development in Afghanistan. We only wanted restoration of peace and tranquillity in Afghanistan. But we witnessed many apprehensions about activities of the Taliban, which were related to human rights, continuation of fighting, their treatment of womenfolk and their reluctance to hold talks with other groups".

He said it is fact that Taliban have succeeded in bringing peace in some particular areas, but they have totally ignored other factions and segments of the Afghan society. "We want they should hold talks with other groups. We will hold talks with all the Afghan groups including Taliban to pave way for the restoration of peace in Afghanistan. We do admit that Taliban will have to play key role in the formation of a future broad-based government and do hope that Taliban will work jointly with others in and outside Afghanistan to restore peace in the country.-NNI