The New York Times reported Monday morning that the United States and the Taliban have a draft agreement that moves both parties toward ending the nearly two decade conflict. The agreement outlines a committment from the Taliban that Afghanistan not host terrorists or terror networks and the U.S. begin a troop withdrawal in return for a cease-fire and further talks.
“We have a draft of the framework that has to be fleshed out before it becomes an agreement,” an American envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad, told The New York Times in Kabul. “The Taliban have committed, to our satisfaction, to do what is necessary that would prevent Afghanistan from ever becoming a platform for international terrorist groups or individuals.”
He added: “We felt enough confidence that we said we need to get this fleshed out, and details need to be worked out.”
A senior U.S. government official, speaking after six days of talks between a U.S. team and the Afghan Taliban, also told Reuters on Monday that Washington was committed to the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan after 17 years of war.
The official, who declined to be identified, described “significant progress” in talks last week with Afghan Taliban militants in Qatar on a foreign troop pullout, but more negotiations were needed on a ceasefire and its timing.