Appeal for calm
Four nations call for steps to stop violence in Afghanistan
MOSCOW — Russia, China, the United States and Pakistan signed a joint statement in Moscow on Thursday calling on all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan to reduce the level of violence. They also urged the Taliban not to pursue a spring offensive.
The statement on a peaceful settlement in Afghanistan was released by the Russian Foreign Ministry after a regular meeting of officials of the four countries, known as the extended Troika, with the participation of representatives of the Afghan government and the Taliban.
Russia, China, the United States and Pakistan in the 10-point statement asked all Afghans to ensure that terrorist groups and individuals do not use Afghan soil to threaten the security of any other country.
The four countries called on participants in the intra-Afghan negotiations to engage immediately in discussions on fundamental issues to resolve the conflict.
“At this pivotal moment, our four states call on the parties to negotiate and conclude a peace agreement that will bring an end to over four decades of war in Afghanistan,” the statement read.
The one-day gathering was the first of three planned international conferences ahead of a May 1 deadline for the final withdrawal of US and NATO troops from the country, a date fixed under a year-old agreement between the administration of former US president Donald Trump and the Taliban.
Moscow’s attempt at mediation came as talks in Qatar between the Afghan government and the Taliban, still waging an insurgency, have stalled. Washington and Kabul have been pressing for a cease-fire while the Taliban say they will negotiate it as part of peace talks with the Afghan government.
“We hope that today’s talks will help achieve progress in the interAfghan talks,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at the start of the meeting.
Lavrov on Thursday urged the Afghan government and the Taliban to take a constructive stance and make compromises, adding that international participants should help create the necessary conditions for reaching a deal.
“The Afghan parties interested in the national reconciliation can reach peace only through negotiations and compromises,” Lavrov said. “It’s important to sign an agreement that would serve the interests of all key ethnic and political forces of the country and determine the vector of its development.”
The US invaded Afghanistan in 2001, following the Sept 11 terrorist attacks masterminded by al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden who was sheltered by the Taliban. The invasion toppled the Taliban regime but the 20-year-war has made Afghanistan the longest conflict for the US.
Despite the US spending nearly $1 trillion, al-Qaida is still present in Afghanistan, and an affiliate of the Islamic State terror group has taken root in the east of the country.