IEA Desires Formal Relations With US: Mujahid

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) says it desires formal relations with the United States of America.

Zabihullah Mujahid, chief spokesman for the caretaker government, said it was in the interest of both Afghanistan and the US to forge formal ties.

In an interview with Al Arabiya, Mujahid said Afghanistan enjoyed good relations with many countries and wanted to have similar ties with the US as well.

He said:“Although officially not announced but in practice, we have diplomatic links with neighbouring and regional countries, including China and some Islamic nations. Their embassies are functional in Kabul.”

The IEA spokesman added:“We want to have official relations with the US too, because it is in the interest of both Afghanistan and the US.

“Afghanistan imposes no condition on other countries in this regard. Other countries should also have good relations with us based on their new policies towards this country and according to the importance of stability and security in Afghanistan.”

Mujahid insisted:“All should have diplomatic relations, revive their economic and trade ties (with Afghanistan), which will be in their interest.”

About the US, he said:“Yes, enmity must end one day; no one remains the enemy of another one until doomsday. It was a time when the US invaded our country, it's forces were in Afghanistan fighting against us and took away our independence.”

He went on to explain:“Once we signed the Doha agreement, US troops withdrew and we came out of war. Now that we are no longer at war with the US or any other country ... we must be in a state of trust, dialogue and interaction.”

aw/mud

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