World reacts cautiously to Taliban government
BLINKEN SAYS NEW RULERS WILL HAVE TO EARN LEGITIMACY
World powers reacted with extreme caution yesterday to the Taliban announcing an ‘acting’ government packed with hardliners, many of whom are on wanted-lists globally.
The US State Department said it was concerned by the “affiliations and track records of some of the individuals”. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is at work, trying to build a common platform with America’s Western allies to set out a criteria for the global community to deal with the ground reality in Afghanistan.
Blinken said yesterday that the Taliban will have to earn legitimacy. “The Taliban seek international legitimacy. Any legitimacy — any support — will have to be earned,” Blinken told reporters in Germany after leading a 20-nation ministerial meeting on the Afghan crisis.
Stranded charter flights
Blinken called on the Taliban to allow charter flights carrying Americans and at-risk Afghans to depart from Afghanistan. The planes have been stuck at Mazari-Sharif International Airport.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas added that the formation of an interim government that did not include any groups besides the Taliban was “not the signal for more international cooperation and stability.”
Clearly, the Taliban’s ‘acting’ government is not an inclusive one as promised, but it is what it is, and it seems the world community will have little option but to deal with it at some level. Recognition of the government, of course, is altogether another thing.
The other fear is about how long the ‘acting’ government will continue. There are growing suspicions the Taliban is testing the political waters with its appointments, and that the interim government will end up being not-so-interim at all.
Humanitarian aid
Many key global powers have not categorically said they will not recognise the Taliban government. However, most have taken a dim view of developments.
The EU expressed dismay at the appointments, but said it was ready to continue humanitarian assistance, adding that future aid would depend on Taliban actions. China has already promised $31 million in aid and urged the new government to crush terrorism.