The US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, during a press conference after the agreement signing for bringing peace to Afghanistan at Sheraton Doha Hotel, yesterday. Pic: Baher Amin/The Peninsula
Praising Qatar’s role in signing a long-awaited peace treaty between the US and the Taliban, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said yesterday that Qatar has been an enormously important partner in the process of making this deal a reality. He said that the US is counting on Qatar in bringing long-lasting peace in Afghanistan.
“Qatar has been an enormously important partner to get us to this very moment. When we have hit bumps in the road, they have helped smooth them out. They have agreed to host a significant piece of the conversations that have taken place that has built out on the set of agreements that you see today. We appreciate that and we thank them,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a press conference, held on the sidelines of peace deal agreement signing event at Sheraton Hotel, yesterday.
“I had a chance to meet with HH the Amir as well as with my counterpart today to thank them for the work that they have done as well as to make clear to them that we have every expectation they will continue to help us as we move along this path towards peace. They have been great partners in getting to this point, and we are counting on them to continue their efforts to deliver for the Afghan people this enormous opportunity that this moment brings,” he said.
For the Secretary of State, the signing of the deal is the first step and there is a great deal of hard work ahead for all the stakeholders.
“Today, we have taken a decisive step toward peace, real peace in Afghanistan. Just as any worthy journey begins, it is the first step,” said Pompeo. “This is a hopeful moment, but it’s only the beginning. There is a great deal of hard work ahead on the diplomatic front,” he added. “Today, following the first-ever weeklong break in fighting in nearly 19 years, I am proud to announce that the United States has secured separate commitments from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban to hold negotiations for peace,” said Pompeo.
On the issue of withdrawal of the US soldiers from Afghanistan, he said that it will be conditions-based.
“If the Taliban do not uphold their commitments, President Trump and his team will not hesitate to do what we must do to protect American lives. If, on the other hand, the Taliban abide by their promises, the United States will undertake a responsible, conditions-based troop withdrawal. That withdrawal means that our men and women in uniform will incur fewer risks, our financial burden will be eased, and our brave troops will return home,” said Pompeo.
“Today, we are realistic. We are seizing the best opportunity for peace in a generation, built on the hard work of our soldiers, diplomats, businessmen, aid workers, friends, and the Afghans themselves,” he said.
