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US working to rescue dozens of Americans from Afghanistan
The US is working to assist 44 Americans who want to leave Afghanistan as well as several others detained by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday.
“There are several Americans who are being detained by the Taliban (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan). We are working to secure their freedom,” Blinken told a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing.
“The families have asked that we protect their identities and don't speak publicly to their cases,” he added.
“Those who have been detained -- how many other Americans are there?" said Republican Representative Joe Wilson.
“As we speak, American citizens who identified themselves to us who are in Afghanistan — some of whom have been there since the withdrawal, some of whom went back to Afghanistan — there are about, that we're in contact with, about 175. Forty-four of them are ready to leave, and we are working to effectuate their departure," Blinken responded.
Republican lawmakers have been accusing President Joe Biden of the “failed” withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and the chaos at Kabul airport in August 2021.
Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee requested documents related to the controversial withdrawal from Afghanistan from the State Department as part of an investigation.
During the hearing Thursday at the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Republican chairman Michael McCaul gave Blinken until the end of Monday to release an internal dissent cable written by at least 23 diplomats serving at the US Embassy in Kabul in July 2021.
"I have the subpoena. it's right here. And I'm prepared to serve this," McCaul told Blinken.
The classified cable reportedly warned of the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.
Blinken said in response to the committee's request that the “tradition of having a dissent channel is one that is cherished in the department, and goes back decades.”
“It's a unique way for anyone in the department to speak truth to power as they see it,” he said.
“These cables may only be shared with senior officials in the department, and again that's to protect the integrity of the process to make sure we don't have a chilling effect on those who might want to come forward,” he continued.
He said the State Department is “prepared to make the relevant information in that cable available, including through a briefing or some other mechanism.”
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IEA to talk to Indian officials over visas for dried fruit traders
In his meeting with the traders, the official also called on neighboring countries to stop creating hurdles for Afghan traders, and rather provide necessary facilities for the growth of bilateral trade.
The Islamic Emirate will talk to Indian officials over the issue of visas for dried fruit traders, Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs Maulawi Abdul Kabir said on Wednesday.
In his meeting with the traders, the official also called on neighboring countries to stop creating hurdles for Afghan traders, and rather provide necessary facilities for the growth of bilateral trade.
He said that land would be allocated for dried fruit traders in accordance with the policy of the Islamic Emirate.
Earlier in the meeting, the traders called for help with the India visa process.
They also said that they are suffering from high taxes that Pakistan has imposed on Afghan dried fruits.
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Moscow meeting on Afghanistan aims to facilitate reconciliation process, expand cooperation with Kabul
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a news conference that the main part of the meeting will be held behind closed doors and will be addressed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Russian foreign ministry said on Wednesday the priority of the sixth Moscow Format meeting was to facilitate the process of national reconciliation and expand cooperation between the regional countries and Kabul in the political, economic, counter-terrorism and anti-drug fields.
The meeting is scheduled to be held in Moscow on Friday with the participation of representatives of Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a news conference that the main part of the meeting will be held behind closed doors and will be addressed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
She added that Lavrov will also meet with Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi, on the sidelines of the meeting and discuss important issues related to bilateral cooperation.
Muttaqi left for Russia on Wednesday.
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Iranian official says Afghan carpets seriously hurting Iranian carpet market
Meanwhile, deputy of the Union of Iranian Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters, Hamid Chamanrokh, said that they had full information on carpet smuggling from origin to entry into Mashhad. He added that the goods enter Iran from the Taibad border and through a network of asphalted roads.
An Iranian official has said Afghan carpets are seriously affecting the Iranian carpet market.
Morteza Haji Aghamiri, chairman of the Carpet, Art and Handicrafts Commission of Iran Chamber of Commerce, said at a meeting that the commission seeks to find a solution to prevent the smuggling of Afghan carpets to Iran, Mehr news agency reported.
Meanwhile, deputy of the Union of Iranian Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters, Hamid Chamanrokh, said that they had full information on carpet smuggling from origin to entry into Mashhad. He added that the goods enter Iran from the Taibad border and through a network of asphalted roads.
The deputy of the Carpet, Art and Handicrafts Commission also said at the meeting that in the past Indian carpets were used to be imported, and now it is Afghan carpets.
IEA to talk to Indian officials over visas for dried fruit traders
Moscow meeting on Afghanistan aims to facilitate reconciliation process, expand cooperation with Kabul
Iranian official says Afghan carpets seriously hurting Iranian carpet market
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