WASHINGTON: The United States and 97 other countries said Sunday they would continue to issue travel documents to foreign nationals and designated Afghan citizens who wanted to leave Afghanistan and hoped the Taliban would remain confident that these evacuees could leave.
“We are all committed to ensuring that our citizens, nationals and residents, employees, Afghans who have worked with us and those at risk can continue to travel freely to destinations outside Afghanistan. We have received assurances from the Taliban that all citizens foreigners and any Afghan citizen with travel authorization from our countries will be allowed to proceed safely and orderly to the points of departure and travel abroad.We will continue to issue travel documentation to designated Afghans and we have the clear expectation and commitment of the Taliban that they can travel to our respective countries, “said a statement issued by the countries.
“We take note of the Taliban’s public statements confirming this understanding,” the statement added. Taliban chief negotiator Sher Mohammed Abas Stanekzai reportedly announced on Friday that the group would not prevent people from leaving Afghanistan, regardless of their nationality or whether they had worked in the United States during the 20-year war.
It was not immediately clear why India is not a signatory to the declaration which included several NATO allies in the US and many developing countries. China, Russia and Pakistan did not sign in either.
Some U.S. officials have said the Taliban’s assurances in this regard are positive, but others are more disregarded. “No one here trusts the Taliban. No one here counts on the words the Taliban offer. What we’re focusing on is the actions, “U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN when asked about the evacuation. However, he said the United States has a” substantial leverage “to ensure that Americans and others can leave after the Aug. 31 deadline
“We are all committed to ensuring that our citizens, nationals and residents, employees, Afghans who have worked with us and those at risk can continue to travel freely to destinations outside Afghanistan. We have received assurances from the Taliban that all citizens foreigners and any Afghan citizen with travel authorization from our countries will be allowed to proceed safely and orderly to the points of departure and travel abroad.We will continue to issue travel documentation to designated Afghans and we have the clear expectation and commitment of the Taliban that they can travel to our respective countries, “said a statement issued by the countries.
“We take note of the Taliban’s public statements confirming this understanding,” the statement added. Taliban chief negotiator Sher Mohammed Abas Stanekzai reportedly announced on Friday that the group would not prevent people from leaving Afghanistan, regardless of their nationality or whether they had worked in the United States during the 20-year war.
It was not immediately clear why India is not a signatory to the declaration which included several NATO allies in the US and many developing countries. China, Russia and Pakistan did not sign in either.
Some U.S. officials have said the Taliban’s assurances in this regard are positive, but others are more disregarded. “No one here trusts the Taliban. No one here counts on the words the Taliban offer. What we’re focusing on is the actions, “U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN when asked about the evacuation. However, he said the United States has a” substantial leverage “to ensure that Americans and others can leave after the Aug. 31 deadline