The Afghan Taliban have set pre-conditions before joining peace talks with the Kabul administration, including removal of their leaders’ names from a UN blacklist and the establishment of an official venue for the Islamic Emirate.
In a statement, the rebels demanded preliminary steps including removal of blacklist and prize list, release of prisoners and ending poisonous propaganda for peace. “Peace is viable only when practical ways of peace are identified and assessed.”
The Taliban said their political office in Doha was the only authorised and responsible entity assigned by the Islamic Emirate, the name the group used for Afghanistan during their regime, to carry out talks.
The statement said issues pertaining to foreigners, particularly the USA, should be directly discussed between the Islamic Emirate and the USA.
But to issues pertaining to the Afghans, the Islamic Emirate believed the Afghans had preparedness and capability to resolve their issues themselves.
The Taliban said they considered it their obligation as required by faith and conscious to serve the Afghan people.
They said the Islamic Emirate was committed to civil activities, to the freedom of speech and to the women’s rights in the light of Islamic rules, national interests and values.
They considered it their responsibility to provide the sons of the nation access to education and protect and construct national installations and assets of public benefits.
They supported all projects of public benefit including the TAPI project aimed at achieving advancement of the country, well-being and prosperity of the people.
“Our Jihad is focused on ending the occupation and bringing about Islamic system. We do not want to interfere in others affairs, nor do we use our soil to harm others, nor allow others to interfere in our affairs.”
The Taliban said they wanted good relations with the world on the basis of mutual respect and the Islamic Emirate was not against international laws if not contrary to Islamic rules and national interests and values.
The statement asked the invaders to leave Afghanistan and give the Afghan people opportunity to determine their fate themselves.
