Home Politik There is no other path than negotiations with the Taliban
Politik - 26.03.2019

There is no other path than negotiations with the Taliban

Kabul – For decades it seemed inconceivable that these talks would actually take place. But peace negotiations and talks on American troop withdrawal between the US and the Afghan Taliban have begun months ago. The Afghan government, however, has not yet been included.

BILD asked Minister of Foreign Affairs Salahuddin Rabbani (47): What is going to happen to women’s rights in your country when the Taliban returns?

Rabbani: Women’s rights in our country are the absolute red line! There won’t be any restrictions for girls who are going to school. We are not going to sacrifice what we have built in the past 18 years.

BILD: German soldiers have fought against the Taliban. Did they die in vain considering that radicals are about to regain power?

Rabbani: We hold the highest respect for the victims of our German friends. The 56 German soldiers who have died here have paid the ultimate sacrifice to establish peace and stability in Afghanistan. The final goal of these soldiers, of these German sons, who came to Afghanistan and stayed here, was their quest for peace and stability. My message to the German mothers and fathers who have lost their sons and daughters is that it is because of them that we now have peace and stability in our country.

BILD: You are taking considerable risks in negotiating with the Taliban. How do you know that ultimately there won’t be another reign of terror?

Rabbani: My father sacrificed his life for freedom in this country when he negotiated with the Taliban. Everybody knows that. Our position is clear. That’s why we are saying that we have to work if we want to make peace. There is no other path than negotiations to end this conflict and these problems. However, it has to be clear that when we talk about peace it doesn’t mean that we are capitulating. We are not talking about restoring the Taliban reign in this country. That is not the case. We don’t just have a single party or group in Afghanistan, we have many. It is important to them that the peace process doesn’t end up in a new emirate as it was founded in 1996.

BILD: What about the many Afghan refugees that are fleeing to Germany?

Rabbani: The Afghans who are fleeing the country are fleeing from insecurity and lack of jobs. It has created an environment in which many feel that they will find a better job and a better life elsewhere. That is why they are leaving their homes and their country. But if we establish peace and stability and create opportunities for investment from other countries, people won’t find it necessary to leave Afghanistan. They will stay. Hence, the peace process is very important.

  • Afghanistan's Ashraf Ghani

    „Germany cannot become a fortress“

    He governs a country where there are attacks almost every day – and from which hundreds of thousands of people have fled to Germany.

BILD: So how do you deal with the fact that the Afghan government is NOT involved in the peace process? Instead the Taliban is negotiating with a US representative.

Rabbani: We appreciate very much what the US is doing in Afghanistan. They have paid with their blood and wealth for the past 18 years. They sacrificed their sons in Afghanistan. We honor that and we are grateful. Of course, they are also economically active. They provide aid and support for our national defence and security forces. The entire international community contributed to these achievements, but the United States were at the forefront of these efforts.

We very much appreciate the efforts made by the US. One of the things they made clear to us is that there won’t be an agreement without the Afghan government. When it comes to a final decision, the Taliban and the Afghan government will get together on this matter.

BILD: What could Germany do to help?

Rabbani: Germany is prepared – as Minister Maas has made clear – to host peace talks, in form of a third Bonn Conference. The Afghan government appreciates that. When the time comes, we will reach out to our German friends.

BILD: Are you also considering peace talks with the Taliban in Germany?

Rabbani: The willingness to host a third Bonn Conference has clearly been made. I am sure that Germany would considere it, if we were to request direct peace talks.

Schreibe einen Kommentar

Deine E-Mail-Adresse wird nicht veröffentlicht. Erforderliche Felder sind mit * markiert

Check Also

„Torpedo Attacke! Torpedo Attacke!“

++ Tanker-Krise im Golf von Oman ++ BILD dokumentiert den dramatischen SOS-Ruf ++ Großbrit…