KABUL – The Taliban seek “strong relations” with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, as Afghanistan on Saturday marks four years since U.S. forces withdrew.
Mujahid also said in an interview on Thursday with Kyodo News that the Taliban have had contact with the U.S. government under Trump, but “not at a high level,” urging Washington to lift its freeze on Afghan assets abroad.
As the Taliban-led government operates 41 diplomatic missions worldwide, Mujahid said it has “taken all measures to improve relations” with other nations.
He called on Japan to follow Russia, which in July became the first country to officially recognize the Taliban government.
The United States, Japan and European nations have refused to recognize it, citing human rights violations such as banning girls from school beyond the sixth grade and restricting women’s work and dress.
Mujahid said education is “an internal issue,” reflecting Afghanistan’s culture and religion.
On U.S. contacts, Mujahid said the United States has appointed a charge d’affaires for Afghanistan in Qatar, who meets Taliban representatives there or in third countries. Talks cover prisoner releases and the issue of frozen Afghan central bank assets.
Criticized what he saw as a continuation of U.S. “wartime policy,” he said his government “has taken every step to build good relations with the United States” and that Washington should reciprocate.
BY: The Times Union – KYODO
