9 minutes agoUS bans $1 billion aid for Afghanistan because unity is not achieved
Periskopi(6 years ago)
(6 years ago)The United States has said they will stop $1 billion in aid to Afghanistan, blaming President Ashraf Ghan and his biggest political rival, Abdullah Abdullah,'s failure to join in negotiations with the Taliban. Another $1 billion ban may be interrupted in the year [...]
Another $1 billion stop could be interrupted in 2021, said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeii after a surprise visit to Kanbul on Monday failed to convince the two political leaders to reach agreement with the Taliban.
Pompeii implied that aid could be restored if they changed their minds, writes The Guardian, translates Periscope.
The United States is disappointed with them and with what their conduct means for Afghanistan and our common interests,” said Pompeo in a written statement. Their “failure has damaged US-Afganistan relations, unfortunately by dishonoring those Afghans, Americans and coalition partners who have sacrificed their lives in trying to build new futures for this country. ”
Because the failure of the leadership poses a direct threat to American national interests, the US government will initiate a review of our entire co-operation with Afghanistan,” added Pompeo further.
In an agreement split February 29th with the Taliban, the United States said 5 thousand prisoners would be released in exchange for the 1,000 Afghan government soldiers being held by the rebels.
But the Afghan government insisted that it had not agreed to release so many prisoners immediately before broader peace negotiations were reached. /Periscope
