White Lie in the White House

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) US and Afghan Taliban officials signing historic deal in Doha

Syed Aamir Sharief Qadri

At the cost of indispensable loss to life and property, the long 18 years war in Afghanistan is nearing to end. The peace deal was signed by US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. Mike Pompeo, the secretary of state, witnessed the whole event in an opulent hall at a hotel in Doha, Qatar. The deal calls for the full withdrawal of American and NATO troops from Afghanistan within 14 months. 

Speaking at the White House, Mr Trump said, "the Taliban had been trying to reach an agreement with the U.S. for a long time". It is true that Taliban are looking for peace but Trump seems in much hurry for peace agreement than Taliban. When in 2017 Donald Trump was sworn in as new president of U.S.A. he vowed to recall troops from Afghanistan. As the US presidential elections are very near and Donald Trump is in a hurry for peace with Taliban and return home of U.S troops. That is why on 29 February 2020 the preliminary agreement was signed between U.S. and Taliban, which calls for the immediate reduction of U.S. troops to 8600 within the first 135 days of the deal with allies also drawing down their forces proportionately. Further more talks between Afghan government, Taliban and U.S. are likely to be held from 10th of March this month. Till the peace talks bear some fruit and complete return of the NATO and U.S. troops, the immediate return of some thousand troops will benefit Trump in next election campaign. This statement was given in White House by president Trump to save the honour of America. It can be safely said U.S gained nothing much from this long protracted war in U.S. history.

Donald Trump said, U.S. troops had been killing terrorists in Afghanistan "by the thousands" and now it was "time for someone else to do that work and it will be the Taliban and it could be surrounding countries". This statement is full of contradictions too. First, there is no mention who is the real terrorist in Afghanistan? Second, he said now it is time for someone else to do that work and in same vein he said it could be the Taliban? Third, he said it could be surrounding countries? 

By saying "terrorists in Afghanistan", what Trump actually meant by this is not clear. Al-Qaeda, the primary enemy of U.S in Afghanistan was supported by Taliban both overtly and covertly. That is why U.S in the first place declared war on Afghanistan. Since 2001 they killed few thousand people from Al-Qaeda group but large number of people killed belonged to Taliban. So, we can say U.S.A was much worried about the Islamist Taliban regime in Afghanistan than Al-Qaeda. By saying U.S. troops had been killing terrorists in Afghanistan by thousands is a very vague statement by the U.S. president.

Coming to the next point, Trump said, now it will be the Taliban to wipe off terrorists from Afghanistan. How come it is possible for designated terrorists (Taliban) to free Afghanistan from terrorists. Why would Taliban kill its own people. I actually don't get his point. First, they held Taliban responsible for supporting Al-Qaida and removed Taliban government from power in 2001 by launching an open war against it. Both groups whether Taliban or Al-Qaeda were declared as terrorists, and that is why U.S. installed puppet governments in Kabul from time to time since 2001. If Taliban was declared a terrorist group, then what is the rationale behind a peace deal with a designated terror group?

Further Trump said, it could be surrounding countries to kill terrorists. That thing upsets me further. It is the worst phrase ever used by president Trump. What is happening behind the curtains is unknown. We may come to know of this in near future. Is some new partner going to replace U.S.A. or is it just a slip of tongue. If we analyse this part very carefully it seems that U.S. lost its credibility in Afghanistan. U.S.A. failed to promote democracy there. This agreement may ensure safe return of American troops to home but in no way will bring a long term peace to a nation devastated by the US imposed war of last 18 years. One can only hope peace returns to Afghanistan. 

Trump said, "I really believe that the Taliban wants to do something to show we're not all wasting time," Mr Trump added. "If bad things happen, we'll go back with a force like no-one's ever seen." It is very astonishing to see that U.S. favour its worst enemy. Such kind of belief on the future of Afghanistan with Taliban given a primary role to play is really a big development. But while being soft on Taliban Trump further warned of future misadventures. America's return with all might that "no-one's ever seen" is such a hallow statement. With two decades of warfare, having support of more than fifty countries, using sophisticated weapons, U.S. failed to bow Taliban to knees. What kind of might is U.S. talking about while testing all powerful non-nuclear bombs, Including ‘mother of all bombs, latest drone technology, 5th generation jet planes, etc. in Afghanistan. Actually America used all its might but failed to gain anything except devastating a country. America is best in playing with words than weapons. We have seen this in recent U.S.-Iran crisis, when president Trump changed the tone after daring Iranian retaliation and made way to ease tension.

The world looks at this agreement from different angles. People of Afghanistan hope for peace. But it seems to be much difficult for Taliban to come to terms with the Afghan government as we know they see their version of Sharia law diametrically opposed to democratic secular laws which are in vogue this time around in Kabul. I can see this agreement in a way that some point of secular laws can be adjusted under the possible future Sharia based constitution of Afghanistan.

Author can be reached at: [email protected]

MENAFN0303202002150000ID1099790611