By Janet Ekstract
NEW YORK (TURKISH JOURNAL) – In an afternoon press briefing at the U. S. State Department on Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken reiterated that efforts will be ongoing after the August 31 U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan to get as many people out who want to get out of the country. Blinken told reporters that the Taliban “made commitments” to allow evacuations for Americans and Afghans who assisted the U.S. government to leave after August 31.
Despite Blinken’s repeated reassurances during the press conference that all Americans and Afghan SIVs were informed by either email or phone calls about how to evacuate – prominent journalist and NBC News commentator Andrea Mitchell told Blinken that her team saw multiple evidence of the fact, Mitchell said, of Afghans who were not told or informed about the evacuation. Mıtchell commented: “They were not told about the evacuations and not informed. Some were turned away when they were already inside the airport.”
Blinken’s response was: “The Taliban have made their own commitments publicly and privately about ensuring people will get out.” Mitchell countered Blinken’s statement by saying that her network had direct knowledge of prominent Afghan lawyers, judges and activists who are not able to get out. Blinken pointed out repeatedly: “We’re working closely with allies and partners to get everyone out.” He added: “We’ve provided multiple channels of correspondence to Americans in Afghanistan,” referring to informing them about the necessity for them to exit the country. “We continue to be relentless in our outreach,” Blinken emphasized that “since August 14, we sent 20,000 emails and made 40,000 phone calls using all means to find out about Americans who may be in Afghanistan and whether they want to leave and give them instructions on how to leave.”
Meanwhile, Blinken said President Biden does have a contingency plan for what happens after August 31 but provided no details. He did say that talks with the Taliban are ongoing with multiple parties including the U.S. Blinken also said: “We’re working closely with allies and partners to get everyone out.” He did say that priority among Afghans goes to those who worked “sıde-by-side with the American government.” The secretary of state added that “diplomats and service members” are “working around the clock” to get American citizens out of Afghanistan. Since August 14, he said 82,300 were flown out, adding that this week there was an evacuation of 19,000 people on 90 different flights.
The secretary of state highlighted that the U.S: is working with 114 countries who offered to take evacuated Afghans and that “we are working with our allies and diplomats to form a unified approach on Afghanistan.” Blinken said this was the purpose behind Tuesday’s virtual G7 Summit. Blinken added that “intense diplomatic effort is ongoing as we speak.” Reporters asked how the U.S. government could ensure that no one will be forgotten after the August 31 deadline passes and Blinken said that “this effort will continue as long as it takes to get people out.” He added: “We’re looking at a variety of options,” in dealing with the evacuation situation.
“Active efforts are underway on the part of regional countries to see whether they can play a role to keep the airport open after we leave,” Blinken said. He added that the Taliban made it clear they want the airport open and functioning. The secretary of state pointed out: “The nature of that relationship, (with the Taliban) depends directly on what the Taliban does.” He added that if the Taliban “makes good on its commitment to get everyone out” then the U.S. can work with them. Blinken warned that if they don’t, the U.S. will “do everything to isolate them.”
