The US State Department released a document, revealing the US is cautiously exploring the possibility of reopening a consulate in Afghanistan.
But a State Department spokesman said there has been no change in the US position regarding the return of any diplomatic functions to Kabul.
Taliban also called the possible return of US consular services in Kabul ‘a good step’.
Recently, Voice of America reported that the US is “cautiously” exploring the possibility of reopening its consulate in Afghanistan without officially recognizing the country’s new rulers.
The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) also reported this strategic document of the State Department.
The Strategy Document says:
“To support American citizens in need in Afghanistan and Afghan nationals relocating to the United States, we work with Embassy Doha and the Qatari Government via a Protecting Power Arrangement (PPA). We are establishing SOPs to guide passport, repatriation and emergency assistance for/to American citizens in Afghanistan and building in-country networks to reach American citizens.”
The new US strategy outlines four strategic mission areas, namely counterterrorism, economic assistance, local engagement and consular services for US citizens inside Afghanistan and assisting Afghans who want to migrate to the United States.
“With the Taliban we advocate for consular access, transparency and accountability for Americans; we also support the work of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs to obtain the release of Americans unjustly detained.”
The document reads: “To support the relocation of eligible Afghans, we engage the Taliban on freedom of movement for properly documented Afghans and we process Afghans for both Special Immigrant Visas and Immigrant Visas”.
“Even as – and for as long as – the United States does not recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, we must build functional relationships that advance our objectives and further our understanding of the Taliban’s readiness and ability to fulfill their commitments to us.”
“At the same time, we meet Afghans where they are – including but not limited to in Pakistan, Central Asia, Türkiye, and the UAE – coordinating with U.S. missions in those countries, on private sector engagement, education initiatives and a future political process among Afghans. Finally, we lead collaboration among a core set of likeminded countries that maintain Afghanistan-specific missions in Doha, in the region and back in Kabul,” the strategy document added.
Zabihullah Mujahid, chief spokesman for the Taliban, told TOLOnews regarding the US consular services: “It would be a good step to take, because with the beginning of the diplomatic relations, the dialogue will increase, doubts and wrong ideas will be prevented and both sides will be able to interact positively.”
A State Department spokesperson told VOA there has been no change in the US position and there are “no near-term plans to return any diplomatic functions to Kabul.”
While the strategy paper mentions “Return-to-Kabul” planning, the spokesperson did not answer questions about the physical location and operations of a possible consular access mission to Kabul in the future.
The US embassy in Kabul was shut amid a hasty withdrawal of American soldiers from Afghanistan in August 2021. Since then, the US embassy for Afghanistan is operating from Doha.
sa/ma
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