Ashraf Ghani, president of Afghanistan, addresses the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters, September 19, 2017 in New York City. PHOTO: AFP
Addressing the UN General Assembly, Ghani said US President Donald Trump's new Afghan strategy sent a signal to Taliban guerrillas that they cannot win on the field and must negotiate peace. "We welcome this strategy, which has now set us on a pathway to certainty. The Afghan people have looked to the United States for this type of resolve for years," Ghani said.
Trump seen hardening line toward Pakistan after Afghan war review
Trump last month announced an Afghanistan strategy that reversed his previous calls to wind down America's longest war, which was launched after the September 11, 2001 attacks. He instead has sent thousands more troops to Afghanistan and pledged a tougher line on Pakistan, which has long faced US criticism for its intelligence services' ties with "militants and for harbouring Osama bin Laden."
"We now also have an opportunity for a dialogue with our neighbours on how we can work together earnestly to eliminate terrorism and contain extremism," Ghani said. "I call upon Pakistan to engage with us on a comprehensive state to state dialogue on peace, security and regional cooperation leading to prosperity."
US seeks to placate Pakistan anger over Trump’s diatribe
Pakistan has responded cooly to Trump's criticism, with many Pakistanis noting that they themselves have been a major victim of attacks since their government sided with the United States following September 11. Analysts see Pakistan's continued relationship with insurgents as part of a fixation on containing historic rival India, which has warm ties with Afghanistan's post-Taliban government.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ