Wednesday November 1, 2017
Kabul (BNA) The Afghan government is trying to enlist Taliban leader in UN sanctions. According to CE deputy spokesman Jawed Faisal, CE has suggested the UNSC chief of sanctions committee to include Taliban leader Mullah Haibatullah and other senior Taliban members in UNSC list of sanctions.
This would weaken Taliban in one hand and paves the way for peace talks on the other. Chief of UNSC sanctions committee Ghairat Omarov has assured the Afghan CE that he would accept every Taliban authority in sanctions list that the Afghan government willing. It would improve UNSC supervision and assessment mechanism, restricts Taliban activities and drains their financial resources.
President Ghani had already requested enlisting of Mullah Haibatullah name in UN black list. Sanctions before, in his meeting with a delegation of UN sanctions committee, President Ashraf Ghani had asked UN to enlist other terrorists groups too. At present, Kazakhstan holds presidency of UNSC sanctions committee and in Jan 2018 she would undertake alternative presidency of UNSC that would prove very advantageous to Afghanistan. Further efforts will be made either in New York through Afghan permanent representative or in Kabul. Pakistan support of Taliban was discussed in last day’s meeting. This was called a failed experience. Pakistan has not learned the lesson that should have learned from support of Taliban. The US seriously emphasizes on ceasing of terrorists’ activities.
Last week, the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had a visit to Pakistan and told Pakistani leaders that if Islamabad doesn’t take steps for elimination of terrorists’ centers, the US would take steps. But minister of foreign affairs Khawja Asif rejecting the US request said that Pakistan would not bow to US demand. There are many concerns ahead of restoration of peace, stability and security in Afghanistan. In a gesture to support the reconciliation efforts of the Afghan government and for intensifying of effective war on terror, the UNSC should separately approach Taliban and al-Qaida with imposing of sanctions. There are legal framework for implementation of sanctions Taliban financial sources should be ceased and these who provide money to these groups, should be identified. Every external contact with Taliban and other terror groups without awareness of the Afghan government means legitimizing of terrorism and frank violation of the UN sanctions and Vienna convention and would not be tolerated. Seeking political solutions are considered as the only option to end violence’s in Afghanistan. But despite of efforts and demands from Taliban to take part in peace talks, the stance of this group has been tightened before peace and it is needed to make them to attend peace talks. Taliban are still fighting in Afghanistan and everyday conduct attacks. In current year thousands, Afghans were killed in wars and tens of thousands injured. This humanitarian catastrophe is not acceptable anymore.
Lailuma Noori
