Publish dateSunday 10 December 2017 - 19:58
Story Code : 154580
No obstacle to opening Taliban office in Kabul: Abdullah

Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah on Sunday said the unity government has no precondition for reviving peace talks with the Taliban and “if the insurgent group wants, there is no obstacle to open a political office (for them) in capital Kabul.

Abdullah, speaking at a gathering “National Conference on Women Participation in Local Governance” here said so far theoretical not practical discussions had been held about opening a political office for the Taliban in Kabul.

Referring to people’s concerns with regard to the proposed Taliban office in Kabul, the CEO said: “The unity government’s policy is peace keeping in mind the demand and aspiration of the Afghan people, but peace doesn’t mean trampling on people’s rights or imposing a deviant thought on people’s beliefs.”

“There have been no practical discussions, but if the group (Taliban) is willing to negotiate and states that it wants a political office in Afghanistan capital instead of foreign countries, then there should be no barrier in this regard.”

The CEO said all parties to the Afghan conflict had suffered, but who suffered the most were women, still witnessing war. “All people of the country are now fed up and they want an end to the war and a lasting peace and stability.”

“Doors are open for anyone who wants to reach their goals through negotiations and the Afghan government has set no precondition for initiating peace talks; however, peace and negotiations also doesn’t mean sacrificing people.”

Earlier, the High Peace Council has extended an olive branch to the Taliban, saying it is ready for talks under whatever mechanism the insurgents want.

About violence against women, Abdullah said: “In the face of these harsh conditions, today women are demonstrating their talent in all spheres, including knowledge, art, sports, and economy.”

He said wherever women had been given the opportunity, they had discharged their duty with sincerity and transparency.

He termed women’s situation in provinces as challenging and hoped the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) would take steps as part of government’s commitments to paving the ground for women’s participation in local organizations.

Acknowledging some hurdles to women’s participation in local institutions, Abdullah said: “Political considerations will not be an obstacle for eligible women’s opportunities and we are committed to this and we will discharge our responsibility in this regard.”

Source : Afghan Voice Agency(AVA)
https://avapress.com/vdcc40qsx2bqpp8.-ya2.html
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