Iran Press/Asia: NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg remarks about Iran and Russia's participation in Afghanistan peace process published on NATO’s website on Tuesday (4 December) ahead of the NATO foreign affairs ministers' meetings in Brussels, Belgium.
Stoltenberg talk about NATO contribution with Russia and Iran to create a space for sustainable peace process in Afghanistan and added: "We expect all powers, countries in the region, including Russian and Iran, to support the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and play a constructive role."
This invitation for Iran's contribution to Afghan peace process comes just a few days after the US special envoy for Iran, Brian Hook, accused Tehran of violating a UN resolution by sending arms to its proxies in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, and called on Europe to sanction Tehran.
Iranian officials have repeatedly announced the Islamic republic of Iran's readiness to support the Afghan peace process.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said at the meeting with Mohammad Mohaqiq, the second deputy to the Chief Executive of Afghanistan on Nov 28 that Iran supports the peace initiatives in Afghanistan under the guidance of the country’s government.
Also Afghanistan's former president, Hamed Karzai, has stressed that neighboring countries, such as China, Russia and Iran must be included in efforts to bring peace to Afghanistan.
NATO’s Secretary General claimed that reason for NATO forces in Afghanistan is sending a clear message to the Taliban that they will never win on the battlefield and laying the foundation for a political solution through negotiations, and engage in a real peace negotiations with the government.
The War in Afghanistan started by United States invasion on 7 October 2001. The US was supported initially by the UK, Canada, and Australia and later by a coalition of over 40 countries, including all NATO members. The one of claimed war's aims was removing the Taliban from power.
After 17 years, US and NATO have been unable to bring peace to Afghanistan, but also their military presence in Afghanistan is the main reason for increasing violence and killings.
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US intelligence agencies warned that despite US coalition bombing increases in 2017 which reached a record high in the history, the Taliban has continued to make gains in the country. According to the US Military's Special Inspector General on Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) Afghan authorities control or influence come to less than 55 percent of the country.
Like NATO, US also under Donald Trump administration declared his policy to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table but ramped up the bombing campaign on Afghanistan while according to US media Trump seeks to withdraw the US from the country prior to the 2020 American elections. 101/205/211
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