United Nations chief says world should deliver Taliban a message

UNITED NATIONS >> The head of the United Nations says all countries should get involved with the Taliban and send the same message: The Afghan people should live in peace under an inclusive government that respects basic human rights, including for women and girls, and Afghanistan should not be a haven for terrorism and should play a constructive role in international relations.

General Secretary Antonio Guterres said at a press conference today: “It is important that all countries, regardless of different strategies and forms of contact, are able to convey the same message and to communicate effectively with the Taliban.”

He said that the United Nations “is in constant contact with the Taliban and we believe that dialogue with the Taliban is absolutely essential at this moment”.

Guterres said humanitarian aid is also essential and efforts must be made to prevent an “economic collapse” in Afghanistan.

He said the country’s financial position was “very difficult” and “it is important to find ways, through some waivers or mechanisms”, to inject cash into the economy in order to avoid a meltdown.

Looking ahead, Guterres said, “it would be positive if an inclusive government were also formed in Afghanistan” that respected the Afghan state’s previous international commitments and addressed concerns about terrorism, human rights and other issues that could lead to “a Normalization of the international community’s relations with Afghanistan. “