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US reviewing possibility to reopen its consulate in Afghanistan
The United States is reviewing the possibility of reopening its consulate in Afghanistan under the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) rule without formally recognizing the acting government, according to a report.
According to a newly released strategy document from the State Department, the US is “cautiously” and without officially recognizing the Islamic Emirate, reviewing the possibility of reopening its consulate in Afghanistan under the IEA’s control, as reported by the Voice of America on Thursday.
This move indicates a possible change in U.S. policy, moving towards limited engagement with the isolated IEA government to achieve various security, political, and economic objectives.
According to Voice of America, the State Department’s guidance in this report states: “We support transparency and accountability, along with access for American citizens to consular services, in coordination with the Taliban [Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan].”
In this State Department report, it is stated: “Even as the United States does not officially recognize the Taliban [Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan] as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, we must establish effective working relationships with them to advance our goals and increase our understanding of the Taliban’s readiness and ability to fulfil their commitments to [Washington].”
According to the report, the US’s new strategy encompasses four areas, including counterterrorism efforts, economic assistance, local engagement, and the provision of consular services to American citizens, as well as aiding Afghan migration to the United States.
The document also emphasizes support for the work of the U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs in securing the release of American hostages detained in Afghanistan.
Voice of America also reports that the document underscores the United States’ commitment to discussing the fundamental rights of the Afghan people, particularly the rights of women and girls.
Following the fall of the Republic and the IEA’s takeover, the United States closed its embassy in Afghanistan, and this institution currently operates under its staff in Doha.
At the same time, the spokesperson of the US Foreign Secretary said in a press conference in Washington that whenever the rulers of Afghanistan want to achieve global legitimacy, they must stop the violence and fulfill their international obligations.
“As we have said on behalf of the United States to the Taliban [Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan] in public and in private, their relationship with the international community depends entirely on their actions, and we will be looking to see them take a different course of action than they have to date,” said Matthew Miller, spokesman for the US State Department.
Meanwhile, IEA’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that any country, including America, who wants to resume its diplomatic activities in Afghanistan, welcomes it and is ready to cooperate in this direction.
“If we are contacted, we will take our measures, security is ensured, every country that activates its embassy and consulate in Afghanistan has a favorable environment for it, and we do not have any problems, and it is still getting better that both countries have a close understanding and contact through diplomatic channels, and it will end in the benefit of both countries,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate.
This strategic document of the US Ministry of Foreign Affairs reveals the reopening of that country’s consulate in Afghanistan, while no country has recognized the current government of Afghanistan.
However, the Islamic Emirate has repeatedly emphasized that it has completed all the conditions for recognition, but countries and the international community are looking for excuses.
Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, the political deputy prime minister, urged Panjshir residents to encourage their sons living in neighboring countries to return home as the Islamic Emirate has no enmity with anyone.
At a gathering in Panjshir, attended by senior IEA officials, Kabir said that there is currently no space for ethnic and linguistic discrimination as well as hypocrisy in Afghanistan.
He stressed that all Afghans should work together for the construction, development and prosperity of the country.
According to him, IEA’s political and commercial relations with the world are secure and the government is committed to the development and reconstruction of Afghanistan and is doing its best to gain self-sufficiency.
At this gathering, the IEA’s minister of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, said that illegal acts in the country have reached zero and that Daesh does not exist in the country. He also said the people of Panjshir will not be deceived by biased people.
“Currently, there is no corruptor and there is no Daesh fighter in Afghanistan, and no one can provide proof [of their existence]. We are one nation. Our religion and beliefs are one,” said Hanafi.
Some residents of Panjshir also said that they support the Islamic Emirate and will share their challenges with the authorities.
Shahabuddin Delawar, Acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum, visited the Mes Aynak copper mine area on Wednesday during a trip to Logar province.
According to the ministry, Delawar was accompanied by Khairullah Khairkhaw, Acting Minister of Information and Culture; Zhao Xing, Chinese Ambassador to Kabul; Ziaul Rahman Madani, Governor of Logar; and the deputy minister of energy and water.
The ministry said Delawar and his accompanying delegation visited various areas of Mes Aynak copper mine and Mes Aynak archaeological sites to evaluate progress of work being done on the mine.
Officials of MCC, the company with the contract to mine the copper, also provided an update on work being carried out including an update on the road that will soon be built.
“Most of the problems of the project have been solved and we are ready to start the practical work of the project, and with the practical start of the [Mes] Aynak copper mine project, there will be no damage to the ancient monuments in the area.”
The Acting Minister of Information and Culture also discussed the need to preserve and protect relics at the archeological site and assured the delegation of the ministry’s cooperation.
The deputy minister of energy and water also assured all present of a consistent supply of electricity and water for the mine.
Mes Aynak is the location of Afghanistan’s largest copper deposit, however it also contains artifacts recovered from the Bronze Age, and some of the artifacts recovered have dated back over 3000 years.
The Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs says that the process of transferring Hajj pilgrims from Afghanistan to Saudi Arabia has started.
According to the ministry, about 230 Hajj pilgrims left on Wednesday, May 8, on the first flight to Medina.
The acting minister Noor Mohammad Saqib, said at a departure ceremony for the Afghan pilgrims that this year, in order to provide better services to Hajj pilgrims, the employees of the working committees have been sent to Saudi Arabia earlier than in previous years.
At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs Abdul Salam Hanafi, said to the pilgrims during the ceremony: “Dear pilgrims, you are the representatives of the Afghan people in Saudi Arabia, so do this representation well.”
Hanafi added that with the efforts of the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs, as in previous years, all Hajj activities this year have been prepared in an orderly manner.
Earlier, the acting minister announced that this year’s quota for Afghan pilgrims will be 30,000.
Ariana Afghan Airlines and Kam Air are the official carriers of pilgrims this year.
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