Saturday February 2, 2019
Kabul (BNA) Addressing a national conference for youth and peace in Kabul, President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani said today marked the start of “mobilization” for the national debate which could play a crucial role with regard to the peace process. He said the Afghan youth had learnt well from the past four decades of difficulties and the new generation believed in practice rather than slogans as they had a strong will to work for their country and today and tomorrow belonged to them. President Ghani said those thinking the Afghan women were moving backward should rethink. He said difference between a temporary and permanent peace should be told apart, because, durable peace strengthened national values as the nation were decision makers.
President Ghani said key to peace was in Afghanistan as he cautioned international experiences showed half of peace agreements turned into worse wars as they were achieved in a hurry. The President alleged the “Keys to war are in Islamabad, Quetta, Rawalpindi, accusing Pakistan of being a safe haven for cross-border militant activities. The President asked the Taliban to tell where from the gained legitimacy for their acts when they believed the Afghan government was not legitimate. “The authority and responsibilities of the President rest with the people as enshrined in the Afghanistan Constitution. I ask the Taliban to tell if they themselves have prepared their peace roadmap and how much authority they possess on their own deeds.” “I look at you (Taliban) with respect and you should also respect the will of Afghan people, because, my duty is to protect the nation’s honor,” President Ghani added. The President also said the election commission had lost people’s trust and the commission would be drastically reformed and laws amended.
President Ghani said he wanted the result of the July Presidential election to be shared with the people within two days in a transparent manner. Concluding his speech, President Ghani called on the nation to take part in the national debate to clarify all limitations and conditions for the peace negotiations. Suhrab Ahmad, special assistant to the President on the youth national peace conference, said 2,500 youth from 300 districts of the country were taking part in the conference. He said the event participants would exchange views on the youth’s role in the peace process and would declare their demands in a resolution.
