US Envoy Forges Ahead With Troubled Taliban Peace Deal – By Associated Press (VOA News) / July 4 2020
ISLAMABAD – Washington’s envoy to Afghanistan on Saturday emphasized the economic benefits of the peace deal with the Taliban, forging ahead with an agreement that has run into new political obstacles in the U.S. and the region.
Zalmay Khalilzad was wrapping up a weeklong trip that included stops in Uzbekistan, Pakistan and the Gulf state of Qatar, where Taliban negotiators are headquartered.
Accompanying Khalilzad for the first time was an economic development team led by U.S. International Development Finance Corporation Chief Executive Officer Adam Boehler.
Qatar, Pakistan projects
Khalilzad offered no details about the kinds of economic projects being envisioned to jump-start an economy battered by widespread corruption and currently 75% funded by international donations. However, he did suggest joint economic projects involving Qatar and Pakistan, possibly on infrastructure and trade.
The U.S. signed a peace deal with the Taliban in February to end 19 years of war in Afghanistan.
Khalilzad has sought to stress the economic benefits of the peace deal throughout his tour. In a series of tweets early Saturday, the U.S. envoy said he met with the Qatar Investment Authority and the Taliban’s chief negotiator, Mullah Abdul Ghani, in the tiny Gulf state’s capital of Doha.
“We agreed development plans in support of peace can never start too early,” Khalilzad tweeted.
Conitnue to article: https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/us-envoy-forges-ahead-troubled-taliban-peace-deal
