Regional powers rally behind Taliban's request for humanitarian aid
Ten Asian and the Middle Eastern powers are backing the Taliban in calling for Afghanistan to receive humanitarian aid through a United Nations donor conference, and suggesting the U.S. and its allies foot most of the bill, Reuters
reported.
During talks held in Moscow on Wednesday, countries including Iran, China, Russia and India urged the U.N. to consider convening a summit to avoid an economic and humanitarian crisis, the wire service noted.
"Nobody is interested in the complete paralysis of an entire state, which borders, among other things, the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States)," Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, said, according to Reuters.
The 10 countries, however, made clear that the brunt of the humanitarian aid should be paid by the U.S. and its allies given their involvement in the Afghanistan war.
“[T]he main burden...should be borne by the forces whose military contingents have been present in this country over the past 20 years,” the countries said, according to the news outlet.
On Wednesday afternoon, White House press secretary
Jen Psaki was asked whether the administration felt the talks in Moscow were helpful.
"Obviously, our focus remains working with like-minded countries and parties around the world to ensure that we are sending a clear message to the Taliban about the expectations that there is freedom for people to depart Afghanistan, that we are allowed to have flights in, get humanitarian assistance to the right people," Psaki said.
"That’s what we’ve been working through with the U.N. on and working through with 100 countries around the world," she added.
Countries have avoided officially recognizing the Taliban as the legitimate government, even as they pursue various levels of engagement with the military regime. The U.S. has emphasized repeatedly that it will not take the insurgent group by its word but by their actions.
The Associated Press
reported earlier this month following talks between a U.S. delegation and senior Taliban representatives that the U.S. would not be recognizing the Taliban, but would be provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.
Ten Asian and the Middle Eastern powers are backing the Taliban in calling for Afghanistan to receive humanitarian aid through a United Nations donor conference and suggesting the U.S. and its alli…
thehill.com
They (countries) are comedians now. They would not help stabilize the country for 20 years and now expect to pass the bill along again.