Afghan National Consultative Peace Jirga concludes with 16-artilce resolution
The three-day National Consultative Peace Jirga which was organized in Kabul from 2-4 June came to an end on Friday with Afghan president Hamid Karzai's concluding speech and 16-article resolution.
THE THREE-day National Consultative Peace Jirga which was organized in Kabul from 2-4 June came to an end on Friday with Afghan president Hamid Karzai’s concluding speech and 16-article resolution. President Karzai called on the Taliban and other armed militant groups to seize this "rare opportunity" and lay down their arms and join the peace process.
Friday was the final day of the traditional assembly aimed at finding a mechanism for reconciling with armed opponents of the government and bringing peace to a country that has been ravaged by three decades of war. On Thursday, the second day of the jirga, 28 consultative committees debated proposals for peace and on Friday a resolution was made based on those suggestions. The resolution included appeal for stopping night raids by foreign forces and asked President Karzai to clean up corruption. The resolution also called for the release of Taliban prisoners and suggested that women be sent to meet Taliban wives and mothers to press on them the need for peace. Karzai described the proposals as "comprehensive and realistic", vowing to act in no time. He thanked the international community, particularly Turkey saying the Turkish government will extend cooperation in ensuring a lasting peace in Afghanistan. The declaration also stated that Turkey or Saudi Arabia be a possible venue for face-to-face talks with the Taliban. The head of the jirga and former president Burhahuddin Rabbani also appealed the insurgents to renounce violence. He said, “Peace is the message of religion and the message of the Prophet Mohammad. Fighting is enough, lay down your arms. Let's fulfill the hopes of the Afghan people instead of fighting each other.”Rabbani urged the international community to set up a coalition to promote peace in Afghanistan like a coalition they have to fight terrorism. Praising Mujahideen he said the country would benefit from the help of Mujahideen leaders, especially in the security forces. The peace jirga has drawn mixed reactions from the international community. Some Europe-based Afghans see the jirga a right tool for ensuring security, addressing political differences and maintaining national unity in Afghanistan. However some others believe that given the previous similar gatherings that yielded no results, this event may also not produce practical outcomes.The Taliban have not commented on the outcome of the jirga. However, earlier this week, the insurgent group dismissed the traditional assembly saying it is aimed at hoodwinking the Afghan people.
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