A US delegation led by Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West, Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights Rina Amiri, and Chief of the US Mission to Afghanistan based in Doha Karen Decker, held a two-day meeting with senior Taliban representatives and technocratic professionals in Doha on July 30 and 31, according to a statement by the US State Department on Monday.
“During the meeting, US officials identified areas for confidence building to support the Afghan people,” the statement said. “The American delegation also expressed deep concern about the ongoing humanitarian crisis and emphasized the need to continue supporting aid organizations and UN bodies in their efforts to deliver assistance in line with humanitarian principles.”
US officials urged the Taliban to reverse policies responsible for the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan, with a particular emphasis on the rights of women, girls, and vulnerable communities, the State Department statement read.
“The US delegation further expressed grave concern regarding detentions, media crackdowns, and limitations on religious practices in Afghanistan,” the statement continued. “They voiced support for the Afghan people’s demands for their rights to be respected and for their voices to have a role in shaping the country’s future.”
In discussions with representatives of the Afghan Central Bank and Afghan Ministry of Finance, the American delegation addressed the state of the Afghan economy and challenges faced by the banking sector, the statement said.
“Regarding economic stabilization issues, US officials took note of recent data indicating declining inflation and growth of merchandise exports and imports in Afghanistan for 2023,” the statement added. “They also expressed a willingness to engage in a technical dialogue on these matters in the near future.”
“The US delegation acknowledged the Taliban’s commitment to not allow Afghanistan’s territory to be used as a base for threats against the United States and its allies,” the State Department stated. “Both sides discussed the Taliban’s efforts to fulfill security commitments.”
The statement also noted a decrease in large-scale terrorist attacks against Afghan civilians, the statement pointed out. “US officials pressed for the immediate and unconditional release of detained US citizens, citing these detentions as a significant obstacle to positive engagement,” it added.
“Additionally, the United States took note of reports indicating that the Taliban’s ban on opium poppy cultivation had resulted in a significant decrease in cultivation during the most recent growing season,” the statement said.
“However, US officials registered serious concerns about the continuing trafficking and sale of processed opiates and synthetic drugs,” the statement emphasized. “The American delegation expressed a willingness to continue dialogue on counternarcotics efforts.”
Overall, the Doha meeting served as an opportunity for the US delegation to engage in critical discussions with the Taliban representatives and technocrats, aiming to address various challenges faced by Afghanistan and its people, the statement concluded.
