Doha: The United States is in no hurry to give recognition to the Taliban regime and wants to judge the hardliners by their actions and not just words, State Department’s spokesperson Ned Price said.
Following the maiden meeting between a US delegation and representatives of the Taliban in the Qatari capital after the latter’s takeover of Afghanistan, a statement from the US side read, “On October 9 and 10, an interagency delegation travelled to Doha to meet with senior Taliban representatives. The US delegation focussed on security and terrorism concerns and safe passage for US citizens, other foreign nationals and our Afghan partners, as well as on human rights, including the meaningful participation of women and girls in all aspects of Afghan society.”
And it added, “The two sides also discussed the US’ provision of robust humanitarian assistance, directly to the Afghan people. The discussions were candid and professional with the US delegation reiterating that the Taliban will be judged on their actions, not only their words.”
From the Taliban side, acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was quoted by Sputnik as saying, “The delegations discussed turning the page on their relationship in Qatar as well as humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and the implementation of the Doha peace agreement.”
We remain hopeful.
