Justifying Washington’s support for bringing the Taliban into the peace talks, US Ambassador Cameron Munter said that the Afghanistan situation could not be solved by keeping Afghans out of talks.
Talking to media at the second annual dinner of the American Business Forum (ABF) at Royal Palm Golf and Country Club on Saturday, Ambassador Munter said that Afghanistan’s issues could be resolved only by the Afghan leadership – and the US and Pakistan were only supporting them in the effort to get out of the ongoing crisis.
To a question about the non-implementation of promised Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) in the tribal areas, the ambassador said, “I admit this is a failure.” He said that though there was a misconception between Pakistan and US, it can be overcome through negotiations, people-to-people contacts and enhancing economic ties. He said that many senior Americans are coming to Pakistan for re-engagement on the economic and security fronts.
On Hafiz Saeed, Ambassador Munter clarified that the US had not announced a bounty for the Lashkar-e-Taiba chief, but had, under the Right to Justice programme, offered rewards for information leading to the capture of anyone involved in terror activities and those on the United Nations’ list of declared terrorists. He also said that Hafiz Saeed was a probable suspect of the Mumbai terror attack.
On this note, the ambassador said that, though the Pakistani media was doing a “wonderful” job, it had, in this case, misreported the facts.
Earlier, addressing the gathering as chief guest of the ceremony, the ambassador said that US is firmly committed to its partnership with Pakistan – a relationship that, he said, is built on a foundation of mutual interests, respect and trust. An important element of that relationship is trade, rather than aid, he added.
An MoU was also signed for collaboration between USAID and ABF.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 29th, 2012.
COMMENTS (22)
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What did U.S. Ambassador Cameron Munter mean, whe he said that "the Afghanistan situation could not be solved by keeping Afghans out of talks". Whiich "Afghans" was he talking about? The people or Hamid Karzai and his entourage? Pakistan's foregin minister Hina Khar said peace talks have to be "Afghan-led". It would mean bringing the Taliban and the regime to the negotiating table. But the Taliban refuse to deal with Hamid Karzai's cronies.
Afghan Taliban and TTP are two different entities. Mulla Omar was never a terrorist. You can call them extremist or fundamentalist but they he was never a terrorist. afgahn Taliban did a few things that were unprecedented in the history of Afghanistan like law & order was exemplary and poppy cultivation was eradicated. But on womens issues they were hardliners and the Bamiyan issue was unnecessary. TTP is a purely terrorist organization with ulterior motives. It is foreign funded and is anti state. So lets not mix the two.
All this nonsense about Afghan Taliban and Pakistani Taliban, they are two sides of the same coin used by you know who to wield influence in Afghanistan and keep the Pashtun belt forever unstable, so the Pashtuns are busy training their guns on each other or other ethnic groups in Afghanistan instead of their obvious enemy number one. The Taliban have no legitimacy in Afghanistan or Pakistan because they are puppets and slaves of slaves.
@faraz: dont be naive dear....both are same. its not about which taleban comes to power...it is the ideology which is the main concern.what do you suggest now...afghan talebans are better than pakistan taleban? ridiculous. you youirself wrote once that both are same.why this about turn?because US wants to negotiate with them so they are better. height of slavery to US and WEST. disgusting how people lose their self respect due to bias.
@Paindoo
Afghan taliban will come to power through US talks; do you want Hakeemullah Mehsud in power?
@Cautious: you are disturbed,,,are not you? and what is this OUR thing? You are not an american...no american gives a damn what is happening in pakistan or afghanistan...leave alone reading a pakistani or indian newspaper and posting comments. You are Indian just like me my dear..why this fake front?
Thanks GOD...........some common sense is back. Now stop asking pakistan to do more and proceed with this realistic plan. Peace will prevail...
History is evident that no war and conflicts had ended without table talks.....based on honest efforts, mutual respect, equal rights in decision making, respect for each other faith, culture, society, land and resources and more for each other lives. Even after 100 years of war, unrest and distraction…..honest negotiation and table talk is the only solution. I think and I am sure issue of Afghanistan can be solved in weeks……even other world issues and conflicts if one does efforts honestly and with justice. This world is so beautiful and peaceful But we human, our greed for power, influence and selfish nature had been made it insecure and unstable. I don’t know why one who don’t know even his/her life span and time……how he/she could do planning for thousands and thousands of years….that basically divert a beautiful and peaceful one to a shellfish, self center and detractor……..that could lead injustice, crimes, exploitation, survival of the fattest and hence birth of terrorist, criminals and unrest in this beautiful world. If someone is wrong…why not we adopt positive attitude to put him/her on the right…why not we/one should given him/her an opportunity to defend him/herself….define the issues and problem. If as human…we should and must respect other and their related values i.e. social, cultural and faith…based on justice and just justice…I am sure there would be no hat and no war in the world.
If the Afghan want Taliban Rule, then who are we to stop them. Let them have what they wish. But please also make sure that all the taliban in Pakistan are also sent to Afghanistan. Dont want their kind here... get out and stay out
aaahaan why not simply admit that u lost the war and now only negotiations can save you
So you concede that you are defeated in Afghanistan like your predecessors.
After thought,they announced bounty, the effort was in wrong direction,so they failed and has taken a U turn.
No case is under trial in Pakistani courts against Hafiz Saeed,he is not proclaimed criminal, he religious leader and leading his Jamayat .
Unreal. Our foreign policy is as unpredictable as the weather.
US always opt for the right option but only after consuming all the wrongs.... though it's never too late.
When Americans talk for political solution of this problem then I don't see our so-called liberals criticising them but when Imran Khan says the same they call him " Taliban Khan"
Why the so called liberals have double standards in Pakistan?
A new thought process required between all parties involved with a new team from all side. Change of team members to bring in near dimensions that is workable. Ambassador Munter is correct, regional nations need to look for local solutions with reality on ground. Because of war in Afghanistan developments in Pakistan slowed, progress in power sector declined, general decline in education, Pakistan society, Pakistan economy and Pakistani citizen in downward spiral. Pakistan must show seriousness in fixing Pakistan economy.
As oppressor/conquer of Afghanistan your present stance and what your are talking is all meaning less.I wish Talibans are in any body's control now they divided and fighting the wars of Pakistan,Iran, Russia, China,Tajiks,Uzbiks and Afghans against USA/NATO,SO FORGET THE TALKS WITH TABALINS and now Pakistan can hardly do any thing.
Finally after 10 years of bombing and ruthlessly killing Afghans the WISE MEN of USA have realized the fact that Afghanistan’s issues could be resolved only by the Afghan leadership .GREAT JOB USA!!!!!
Wow, Amazing. So US can decide whatever it wants as long as its purposes are served or based on the need of the hour but Pakistan cannot .
There are so many tweaks, twists, and surprise 'clarifications' from both sides (US and Pakistan) that it is simply becoming difficult to track who meant what in their discourse.
where r so called liberals now....they were criticizing imran and hope they will fo same for US....u can not war for decade....u hav to find some way from talks anf u hav to bring those illetrate and war torn people in ur society...u will suffer for some extent but that only way to erase past mistakes....
Oh really! How will USA run if this war ends? USA needs to open up another front before this one closes to keep its economy running.