Office of the Spokesperson
The following is attributable to Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus:
President Ashraf Ghani and Secretary of State Pompeo spoke November 18, to review the steps necessary to implement President Ghani’s decision to release three high-level Taliban detainees. Secretary Pompeo reiterated U.S. support for President Ghani’s decision and committed to work closely together to address violence if the President’s decision does not produce the intended results. Both sides agreed a reduction in violence is necessary for intra-Afghan negotiations on a political settlement to be successful. Secretary Pompeo reaffirmed the continuation of U.S. support to Afghan security forces and hailed their performance.
Ongoing security support and a political settlement are both necessary for Afghans to achieve peace and prevent international terrorists from ever again using Afghanistan as a platform for international terrorism.