The American "decision-makers" had long ago decided to withdraw from the most expensive war in Afghanistan. Zalmai Khalilzad 

Accusations against any other party are not true. We must tell the truth. Islamabad has played a positive role. Ignoring Pakistan will not be in the US interest in any way. Interview with Former US Special Representative for Afghanistan

Washington (Urdupoint News Latest - International Press Agency - December 17, 2021) Former US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmai Khalilzad has said that the American "decision-makers" had long ago decided to withdraw from the most expensive war in Afghanistan. Blaming the other party is not true. We must tell the truth.

In an interview with the American Broadcasting Corporation, he said that before the agreement reached in Doha, we had no advantage in the war that had been going on for 20 years. The moral of the army was not encouraging. How can you continue the war? He said the fact that the Taliban were getting stronger and that we and our NATO allies could not cope with the situation had convinced US "decision-makers" that this most costly battle could not be continued.

Zalmai Khalilzad said that the United States had come to the conclusion that the balance of power in Asia had changed and that the United States needed to adapt to it. The epicentre was reported below the ground, however; no tsunami alert was issued. "President Trump asked me if it was possible for us to start negotiations for an agreement that would ensure that Afghanistan does not become a place for us that endangers the United States, but rather Afghans should also be brought together so that they can find a political solution to the issues for which we no longer see a military solution.

Referring to the Doha talks, he said that the agreement opened the door for dialogue between the Afghans for the first time and the Afghan government and the Taliban met face to face for the first time. He blamed Ashraf Ghani and his associates for the failure of the agreement and said that those who were ruling in Kabul at that time were responsible for the failure of the agreement. Was imposed on the Afghan government.

He said that Ashraf Ghani and his associates were against the agreement but then their escape from Afghanistan worsened the situation. But they did not support the peace agreement for a long time. It took them a long time to send a delegation to plan the peace process. According to the negotiations, it took six months instead of ten days to release the prisoners.

He said the Ghani government had misjudged the withdrawal of US troops, as well as the strength of its troops, and that when Kabul was finally under siege, An agreement was reached under which the Taliban agreed not to enter Kabul until the withdrawal of US forces, which was formally announced, but on the day the agreement was announced, Ashraf Ghani and his close allies were also given confidence. I fled from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan and then to the United Arab Emirates.

Asked about the international community's recognition of the Taliban, Zalmai Khalilzad said: "It's up to the Taliban. There have been no imports and the Doha agreement called for the formation of a comprehensive government, and there are a number of issues, such as concerns about sanctions against the Taliban.

"I think the United States and other countries need to sit down with the Taliban in order to fully implement the agreement, given the priorities that the international community has set based on the agreement with the Taliban," he said. When it comes to recognizing government, it is usually the states, not governments, that are recognized. In response to another question, the former US diplomat said that the Taliban wanted them to be accepted and respected internationally and that they wanted sanctions against the Taliban leaders to be lifted. Asking for help means leveraging for those who will provide aid to those who will lift restrictions, for those who will freeze bank accounts and then the Taliban want a normal long-term relationship. So is leverage.

Asked about the overall government in Afghanistan, Zalmai Khalilzad said, "I don't think Afghanistan alone can solve all the problems. Afghanistan is a very diverse place and many of its issues will have to be dealt with by people with technical expertise." Like the Ministries of Health, Education, Communications and much more, Afghanistan, which was in the 1990s, is no longer the same, neither is the Taliban, the country has changed, and the world has changed.

"In the current situation, the Taliban are trying to take care of themselves and their people, who have supported them during this struggle for the last 20 years and paid a heavy price, but they must now look to the future," he said. A successful Afghanistan that is peaceful with itself and the world. Asked about Pakistan's role in Afghanistan, he said that peace and stability in Afghanistan are very important for Pakistan and it is also important for the region. The region develops and President Ghani used to say that regional connectivity, trade and development are very important. He said that it takes 26 days for products from Uzbekistan to reach Pakistan but if there is peace in Afghanistan and transportation Pakistan wants access to Central Asian states.