It was a first, but it is still too early to judge its scale and its impact on Afghanistan. US and Taliban officials met in person for the first time since leaving Afghan soil from the United States on Saturday October 9 and Sunday October 10 in Qatar.
US delegation traveled to Doha for talks “Focused on issues of security, terrorism and the travel safety of US citizens, other foreign nationals and our Afghan partners”State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Sunday.
The Taliban “judged by their actions, not just their words”
Among the topics covered: “Human rights, especially the participation of women and girls at all levels of Afghan society”, according to Mr. Price. But also “The provision of substantial humanitarian aid from the United States, directly directed to the Afghan people”.
According to the State Department, the exchanges were “Frank and professional” and US officials reaffirmed that “The Taliban will be judged by their actions, not just their words”.
The Taliban are seeking recognition from the international community, as well as assistance to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in the country. Afghanistan remains economically paralyzed since the arrival of the Taliban to power and the immediate freeze of all the country’s assets and international aid which keeps the country on a drip. On the brink of a serious humanitarian crisis, a third of the Afghan population is threatened with famine, according to the United Nations.