Leon Panetta told CNBC that he believes it is a mistake for the United States to rely on the Taliban for cooperation in Afghanistan after President Joe Biden’s speech saying his administration would keep the Taliban at its word.
“I think the Taliban cannot be trusted. The reality is that the Taliban have provided safe haven to terrorists in the past and will continue to provide safe haven to terrorists,” said Panetta, who served as defense secretary since of July. 2011 to February 2013 under President Barack Obama.
Panetta told “The News with Shepard Smith” that he believes Al Qaeda will be re-established in Afghanistan and quoted an interview with a Taliban commander who said “there is no evidence” that Osama bin Laden was behind the September 11th.
“If the Taliban defend bin Laden on September 11, you know that they will also continue to provide a safe haven for Al Qaeda,” said Panetta, who has been the director of the Central Intelligence Agency since February 2009 to June 2011.
The Taliban, ousted from power by the U.S. shortly after the 9/11 attacks, now control almost the entire country.
The former Secretary of Defense said the withdrawal from Afghanistan “should not” define Biden’s foreign policy. For that to happen, Panetta said Biden will have to evacuate Americans and U.S. allies remaining in Afghanistan, making it clear that the United States will continue to pursue terrorists in the country, urging the Taliban to recognize the human rights and acknowledge their mistakes.
“Ultimately, you will have to say that you have learned the lessons of this experience in Afghanistan and the mistakes that have been made,” Panetta said.
The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.