Tillerson: Space for Moderate Taliban Elements in Afghan Government is Available

The U.S. Secretary of State says that moderate elements of the Taliban can participate in the Afghan government as long as they condemn violence and terrorism and commit themselves to the peace process in Afghanistan. Rex Tillerson also explicitly warned Pakistan that it must intensify its actions against terrorist organizations that have established safe havens within its borders. On Monday, October 23, Tillerson made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan, where he discussed his country's strategy for ending the longest war in U.S. history with Afghan leaders. According to reports, Tillerson spent nearly three hours negotiating with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Executive Director Abdullah Abdullah, and other Afghan officials and U.S. military commanders at the heavily guarded Bagram military base north of Kabul. After these meetings, Tillerson told a small group of reporters accompanying him from Qatar that the Taliban must understand that they will never win a military war and must prepare to negotiate with the Afghan government. He stated, 'It is clear that we will continue our fight against the Taliban and other groups to make them understand that they will never be winners in military conflict.' He added, 'We believe that moderate voices within the Taliban are being heard, voices that do not want to continue the war indefinitely. Therefore, we are seeking an agreement with these voices and that they participate fully in the government with the aim of establishing peace.' The U.S. Secretary of State emphasized, 'There is space in the government for these individuals, provided they step forward, condemn terrorism, reject violence, and commit to a successful and stable Afghanistan.' Reuters reports that the small group of journalists accompanying the U.S. Secretary of State could not send footage and videos of these meetings due to security reasons until their return to Qatar. While the Taliban insurgents have not recently attacked the Bagram base—where Tillerson's meetings took place—this site has been regularly targeted by rockets, mortars, and vehicles laden with explosives since the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. The recent visit of U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis to Afghanistan was also accompanied by rocket attacks on Kabul's main airport. During his time in Afghanistan, Tillerson also stated that he is scheduled to travel to Pakistan on Tuesday to convey the U.S. request to officials in that country that Islamabad must take action against the Taliban and other extremist forces within its borders or face the consequences. The U.S. Secretary of State said, 'We have made specific requests to Pakistan to counter the support that the Taliban and other terrorist organizations receive.' He added that U.S. policy toward Islamabad is 'based on whether they take actions that we feel are necessary for creating a space for reconciliation and peace in Afghanistan and also guarantee a stable future for Pakistan itself.' Tillerson also mentioned that he would travel to India to discuss increasing economic assistance to Afghanistan with officials in that country.