By Janet Ekstract
NEW YORK (Goldenhorn Agency) – In a press briefing on Friday afternoon, U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price reiterated that “Turkey is an important NATO ally.” Price also commented that “Turkey is and has long played a major role in Afghanistan.” He said Turkey’s maintaining security at the Kabul airport has been of utmost importance and that they work closely with Qatari partners in running the facility. Price said Turkey’s work at the airport has been instrumental in facilitating charter flights out of Afghanistan and in the reopening of the airport as well.
He commented that a “functioning international airport” in Afghanistan is crucial to make sure provisions of humanitarian aid get into the country. He added, “we are deeply committed to that.” Price said that the US “put forward $330 million in military assistance for the people of Afghanistan.” He remarked that humanitarian aid is currently going into Afghanistan “without flowing through the Taliban,” and that aid agencies in the U.S: are working directly with operating partners on the ground in Afghanistan. Price added,”We’re in regular touch with them.”
Price reiterated that the Taliban know there are conditions for full engagement. He added that the U.S. and other countries have been engaging with the Taliban on the most basic issues of allowing those who want to leave Afghanistan to leave and the issue of humanitarian aid access.
Price pointed out that any issues they discuss with the Taliban “are of paramount importance to our national interests.” He referred to those as rights for women and girls as well as an inclusive government that allows a variety of ethnic groups in Afghanistan to fully participate in the running of their country.
The State Department spokesman said that the type of engagement with the Taliban is “spelled out in a UN Security Council resolution” related to certain commitments the Taliban must meet if they want to fully engage with the international community. Price said that though “it is in our interest to engage with the Taliban” it is not something the Biden administration takes lightly. He reiterated that “We will look to what they do, not what they say.”
