Top Afghan official supports U.S. outreach to Taliban
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Afghan Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah speaks to the Associated Press at the King Hussein Convention Centre at the Dead Sea, Jordan, today. Abdullah said he supports U.S. efforts to pursue a cease-fire with the Taliban, an armed group that refuses to negotiate with his government. Abdullah shares power with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in a U.S.-backed unity government.
DEAD SEA, Jordan >> A top Afghan official says he supports U.S. efforts to pursue a cease-fire with the Taliban, who effectively control half of Afghanistan and refuse to negotiate with his government.
Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah shares power with President Ashraf Ghani in a U.S.-brokered unity government. Abdullah spoke to the Associated Press today at the World Economic Forum in Jordan.
Abdullah says the Taliban could take part in elections and even compete for the presidency if they renounce violence. He says Afghans want peace, but “they don’t want to live the way that the Taliban want them to live.”
The Taliban have held talks with a U.S. envoy in recent months while continuing to carry out daily attacks on Afghan forces. The insurgents dismiss the Afghan government as a U.S. puppet.
