WEB DESK
Nearly two dozen American lawmakers have sought assurances and transparency prior to the signing of a landmark peace deal between the US and the Taliban to end the brutal war in Afghanistan, urging the Trump administration against making a commitment that would embolden America’s adversaries and undermine its allies.
The US is set to sign a historic peace deal with the Taliban in Doha on Saturday provided that a week-long reduction in violence across the war-torn Afghanistan holds. The Taliban has also confirmed the plan to sign the peace deal that day.
In a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the defense secretary, the Congressmen yesterday called for prioritisation of American security as the US pursued a peace agreement with the Taliban.The letter calls for transparency and highlights the importance of keeping the US safe.
Additionally, it outlines the need for certain security pledges, including that any deal between the US and the Taliban will be public and not contain secret annexes or side deals. The lawmakers also demanded that there will be no intelligence sharing or a “joint counter-terrorism” centre established with the Taliban.