Only Inclusive Gov’t can Ensure Afghanistan’s Independence

Date: 12 January 2022 - 23:05

News ID: ۹۸۸۳۲

By: Kayhan Int’l Staff Writer

The recent talks in Tehran between senior Iranian officials and the foreign affairs in-charge of the Tallban militia ruling Afghanistan once again focused on the necessity of formation of a broad-based government in Kabul, inclusive of all ethnicities, political factions, tribal groups and religious sectors.

In other words, a national government representing all Afghan people is the only solution to a country ravaged by over decades of war and two decades of the recently ended American occupation.

To be more precise, the current factional cabinet would neither be officially recognized by neighbouring states nor by other world countries, and would be seen as another occupation in the long history of Afghanistan.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh made the position said Sunday’s high-level talks with Taliban representatives led by Amir Khan Muttaqi, were “positive”, but Iran is still “not at the point of officially recognizing Taliban”.

He added: “The current condition of Afghanistan is a major concern for the Islamic Republic of Iran and the visit of the Afghan delegation was within the framework of these concerns,”

Hopefully, the Taliban delegation, which during its short stay in Tehran also met some leaders of Afghan opposition factions, will convey this message to its leadership.

According to reports, the talks of the Taliban team with the Afghan opposition were fruitful and Muttaqi invited them to return to Afghanistan with assurances for their safety.

This is a good beginning but according to Afghan opposition sources, mere words are not enough, and those in power in Kabul should first take practical steps towards formation of an inclusive government.

Landlocked Afghanistan, although a impoverished country, is rich in mineral resources, and is strategically located. It shares borders with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, China and Pakistan.

This is among the reasons the Americans had occupied Afghanistan and although they have withdrawn most of their military forces, they are still scheming for mischief and meddling.

The US plot can only be defeated through unity among all Afghan groups, and not any factional control over Afghanistan.