WASHINGTON: Pompeo said the deal signed in Doha on Saturday, which will lead to US troop withdrawals, was historic and contained detailed commitments by the Taliban to reduce violence.
He also expressed hope that talks would begin in the coming days between Afghanistan’s government and the Taliban, adding that Donald Trump would be actively engaged.
Pompeo gave no date for a Trump meeting with Taliban leaders, which the president promised at the White House on Saturday.
The deal faces criticism at home but in Kabul, Ghani told reporters: “The government of Afghanistan has made no commitment to free 5,000 Taliban prisoners.”
Under the accord, the US and the Taliban are committed to working expeditiously to release combat and political prisoners as a confidence-building measure, with the coordination and approval of all sides. The agreement calls for up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners to be released in exchange for up to 1,000 Afghan government captives by 10 March.
Ghani said it was “not in the authority of United States to decide” about the swap, because it was “only a facilitator”.
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