secretary of state Anthony Blink
Antony BlinkenSunday shows preview: Chaos in Kabul marches US evacuation efforts Five takeaway meals from Biden Chaos week in Afghanistan US military faces growing calls to do more for evacuate Afghanistan MORE He said during a discussion about the role of the Taliban in the evacuation of Americans from Afghanistan that U.S. officials must face the “reality” that the insurgent group controls Kabul.
“They have control of Kabul. That’s the reality. That’s the reality we have to deal with,” Blinken said while appearing on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”
U.S. officials have said there is an agreement with the Taliban to ensure the safe passage of Americans to Kabul airport.
Guest host Major Garrett asked Blinken how comfortable he was with the situation.
“What I’m focused on, what we’re all focused on is getting people out and making sure we’re doing everything we can to do that. And in that case, I think, it’s a requirement of the job to be in touch. with the Taliban, which controls Kabul, “Blinken said.
.@SecBlinken says U.S. contact with the Taliban has been “very important in making sure we can move forward in our own interests to get people out as safely and effectively as possible”: “They have control of Kabul. That is the reality. ” pic.twitter.com/Via2dhdbIu
– Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) August 22, 2021
Garrett also asked whether U.S. negotiations with the Taliban give legitimacy to the insurgent militant group.
“No,” Blinken replied. “We have been in contact with the Taliban for a long time, both politically in Doha, which dates back to a few years ago, and on the ground in Kabul, working relations in order to resolve conflicts, to resolve any problem with people arriving at the airport “.
Blinken also said Sunday that the United States has evacuated 8,000 people from Afghanistan in the past 24 hours and about 30,000 people since the end of July.