Washington: In the light of Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghan? Ahmadzai extending an invitation to the Taliban to join a peace process, the United States has made it clear that it stood with the Afghan people in response to the Taliban's announcement and supported the Afghan security forces who were standing against the Taliban and terrorist groups that sought to destroy Afghan society.
A press statement issued here on Wednesday by John J Sullivan, Acting Secretary of State, said; "We commend the Afghan people, who are carrying on their lives, raising families, attending universities, building businesses, preparing for elections, and strengthening their communities despite violence and continued bloodshed."
"We have seen the Taliban's announcement of their spring offensive. The announcement affirms the Taliban's responsibility for the insecurity that destroys the lives of thousands of Afghans each year."
"President Ghani has recently extended an historic invitation for the Taliban to join a peace process, and there is no justification for the announcement of a new offensive. There is no need for a new fighting season. Still, the Taliban announced another campaign of senseless violence targeting the democratically elected and internationally recognised Afghan government and their fellow Afghans," the statement added.
"As President Ghani recently said, the Taliban should turn their bullets and bombs into ballots. They should run for office. They should vote. We encourage Taliban leaders to return to Afghanistan from their foreign safe havens and work constructively for Afghanistan's future. More violence will not bring peace and security to Afghanistan," he stated.(UNI)