Taliban spokesperson asks US for patience, compassion, and money
December 12, 2021The US froze nearly 10 billion dollars the Afghan central bank holds in reserve. The Taliban want it back. The Afghan Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, claims he hopes the world will slowly see a new Taliban. Particularly when it comes to economic policies regarding the new government.
The US froze nearly 10 billion dollars the Afghan central bank holds in reserve.
“To the American nation: You are a great and big nation, and you must have enough patience and have a big heart to dare to make policies on Afghanistan based on international rules and relegation, and to end the differences and make the distance between us shorter and choose good relations with Afghanistan,” Muttaqi told reporters.
Crisis in Afghanistan
The US military never lost a single major battle in Afghanistan. However, the US eventually began to withdrawal and the Taliban easily defeated the Afghan army. The deposed Afghan president fled with suitcases full of government money, and the world imposed multiple sanctions on the country.
Since then, the United Nations estimates that 23 million Afghans are facing extreme levels of hunger. Furthermore, nearly nine million are at risk of famine over the winter season.
Muttaqi stated, “Making Afghanistan unstable or having a weak Afghan government is not in the interest of anyone.”
Adding the Taliban has no problem with the US, and the current sanctions do not benefit anyone. China has contributed humanitarian aid, but the Taliban are requesting more.
Taliban vs ISIS-K, and Al-Qaeda
US Marine General Frank McKenzie accused the Taliban of harboring Al-Qaeda, but Muttaqi responded with a “demand for proof” from the General. Muttaqi also claims they have kept their 2020 promise to former President Donald Trump to deny ISIS-K, and Al-Qaeda safe haven.
Also, insisting the Taliban kept their promise to President Joe Biden to not attack US or NATO forces during the withdrawal.
The Afghan Foreign Minister remarked the Taliban is learning from their mistakes, and hopes “America will slowly, slowly change its policy toward Afghanistan.”
Two weeks ago, Human Rights Watch posted a report saying, “Taliban forces in Afghanistan have summarily executed or forcibly disappeared more than 100 former police and intelligence officers in just four provinces…”
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