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Peace based on pleas can imperil gains: Spanta

Peace based on pleas can imperil gains: Spanta

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5 Jul 2013 - 17:20
Peace based on pleas can imperil gains: Spanta
author avatar
5 Jul 2013 - 17:20

KABUL): Collaboration with international allies would be meaningless in the absence of an identity of views on a joint peace strategy, the national security advisor said on Friday.

Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta, addressing a forum on the post-2014 situation in Kabul, defended the government’s decision on suspending talks with the US on the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA).

Also an ex-foreign minister, he argued Afghanistan to avoid being pushed into isolation or become a battlefield for its neighbours.

Dr. Spanta stressed: “We urged the world to forge strategic collaboration with us. The fact that Taliban’s training centres, hideouts and support bases are a real threat to us while Al Qaeda represented a threat to others shows we and our allies are not on the same wavelength…”

The government must identify common strategic interests between Afghanistan and its international supporters, he believed. Based on those shared goals, Kabul should ink strategic pacts with foreign countries, he maintained.  

The allies should coordinate with the global fraternity efforts at promoting peace, democracy and economic development in Afghanistan, proposed the presidential advisor.   

“At the outset of talks, we should define strategic commonalities. In case of bilateral commitments, we should continue implementing such agreements. Otherwise, despite problems, we should try to stand on our own feet,” he remarked.   

Spanta made clear peace could not be achieved on the basis of pleas and entreaties, warning stability accomplished in this way could undo the gains of past years. The goal could be realised by strengthening security forces, he explained.  

In his speech at the event arranged by Hezb-i-Wadat party, Minister of Commerce and Industries Anwarul Haq Ahadi rejected concerns regarding 2014, saying the year would be crucial for Afghanistan in spheres of politics, economics and security.

Security transition, reduction in foreign aid and an orderly power transfer would be three major challenges in 2014 when there would be also opportunities, he said, supporting peace based on logic and within the confines of law.

Instead he pleaded for reconciliation that did not compromise achievements of the past 11 years and respected people’s enormous sacrifices.

The people who had erected high-rise buildings through corruption were concerned about 2014, observed Minister of Economy Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal, who believed if the situation was properly handled, there would be no problems.

Regarding elections, he spurned the idea that the president should be a Pashtun, first vice-president a Tajik and second VP a Hazara. He said it would be injustice to other ethnic groups such as Uzbek and others.

myn/mud

 

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