Doha Agreement empowered IEA: US State Department

The agreement signed between the United States and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) in Doha four years ago empowered the IEA, US State Department said on Thursday.

“The agreement empowered the Taliban (IEA), weakened our partners in the Afghan Government, and committed the United States to withdrawing our troops with no clear plan for what should come next,” US State Department’s spokesperson Mathew Miller said on the fourth anniversary of the signing of the agreement.

He claimed that the IEA have not fulfilled their commitments in the Doha Agreement.

“While they have taken some steps regarding certain terrorist groups in Afghanistan, it is well known that the Taliban also sheltered al-Qaida leader Zawahiri in downtown Kabul, which flies directly in the face of the agreement,” Miller said.

He added that the IEA have not fulfilled their Doha commitment to engage in a meaningful dialogue with their fellow Afghans leading to a negotiated settlement and an inclusive political system.

IEA, however, accuses US of violating the Doha Agreement.

IEA spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Thursday that the US had pledged to have normal relations with Afghanistan and not to prevent its development.

He also noted that there is still blacklist of names and sanctions, and that Afghanistan’s assets remain frozen.