Taliban's "Reduction of Violence" Deal With U.S. Begins Friday
2020-02-22
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1A seven-day "reduction of violence" agreement between the United States and the Taliban group in Afghanistan begins on Friday.
2A top U.S. State Department official said that, by the end of the month, the Taliban and the United States will sign a peace agreement.
3The two sides plan to sign that peace agreement in Doha, Qatar, this month.
4If the "reduction of violence" is successful, the plan will make it possible for the U.S. to withdraw its troops from the country in time.
5U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement, "We are preparing for the signing to take place on February 29."
6He added that intra-Afghan negotiations between the Taliban and Afghan political leaders, will start soon after that.
7The goal of those talks will be a permanent ceasefire.
8But the path to that goal is not clear.
9It is still not known who will represent the Afghan government in the talks with the Taliban.
10An agreement between the parties is necessary if there is to be a lasting peace in the country.
11The Afghan election commission earlier this week declared President Ashraf Ghani the winner of the presidential election held in September.
12However, his opponents quickly protested his victory.
13The Taliban also has refused to talk to Ghani's government and protested the election results.
14The group said that it will talk to government representatives but only as ordinary Afghans.
15The Taliban released their own statement on the reduction of violence deal.
16The agreement involves an exchange of prisoners, planning for the intra-Afghan talks and preparations for all foreign forces to leave the country among other things.
17The Taliban also said that the group will not permit "the land of Afghanistan to be used against security of others so that our people can live a peaceful and prosperous life under the shade of an Islamic system."
18The terms of the reduction in violence agreement include a seven-day ceasefire.
19The ceasefire bans roadside bombings, suicide attacks or rocket strikes.
20Five thousand Taliban prisoners are to be released from Afghan jails.
21U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper has said that if the seven-day ceasefire is successful, and the Afghan peace talks begin, the U.S. would reduce its troops "over time" to about 8,600.
22There currently are about 12,000 U.S. troops in the country.
23In Brussels, Belgium, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the developments.
24About 16,000 NATO troops are in Afghanistan.
25They are helping to train the country's security forces.
26The U.S.-led military alliance could reduce its operations to go along with a peace agreement.
27"This is a critical test of the Taliban's willingness and ability to reduce violence, and contribute to peace in good faith," Stoltenberg said in a statement.
28"This could pave the way for negotiations among Afghans, sustainable peace, and ensuring the country is never again a safe haven for terrorists."
29I'm Jill Robbins.
1A seven-day "reduction of violence" agreement between the United States and the Taliban group in Afghanistan begins on Friday. 2A top U.S. State Department official said that, by the end of the month, the Taliban and the United States will sign a peace agreement. 3The two sides plan to sign that peace agreement in Doha, Qatar, this month. If the "reduction of violence" is successful, the plan will make it possible for the U.S. to withdraw its troops from the country in time. 4Seven Day Ceasefire 5U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement, "We are preparing for the signing to take place on February 29." He added that intra-Afghan negotiations between the Taliban and Afghan political leaders, will start soon after that. The goal of those talks will be a permanent ceasefire. 6But the path to that goal is not clear. 7It is still not known who will represent the Afghan government in the talks with the Taliban. An agreement between the parties is necessary if there is to be a lasting peace in the country. The Afghan election commission earlier this week declared President Ashraf Ghani the winner of the presidential election held in September. However, his opponents quickly protested his victory. 8The Taliban also has refused to talk to Ghani's government and protested the election results. The group said that it will talk to government representatives but only as ordinary Afghans. 9The Taliban released their own statement on the reduction of violence deal. The agreement involves an exchange of prisoners, planning for the intra-Afghan talks and preparations for all foreign forces to leave the country among other things. 10The Taliban also said that the group will not permit "the land of Afghanistan to be used against security of others so that our people can live a peaceful and prosperous life under the shade of an Islamic system." 11The terms of the reduction in violence agreement include a seven-day ceasefire. The ceasefire bans roadside bombings, suicide attacks or rocket strikes. Five thousand Taliban prisoners are to be released from Afghan jails. 12Reduction in foreign troops 13U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper has said that if the seven-day ceasefire is successful, and the Afghan peace talks begin, the U.S. would reduce its troops "over time" to about 8,600. There currently are about 12,000 U.S. troops in the country. 14In Brussels, Belgium, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the developments. About 16,000 NATO troops are in Afghanistan. They are helping to train the country's security forces. The U.S.-led military alliance could reduce its operations to go along with a peace agreement. 15"This is a critical test of the Taliban's willingness and ability to reduce violence, and contribute to peace in good faith," Stoltenberg said in a statement. "This could pave the way for negotiations among Afghans, sustainable peace, and ensuring the country is never again a safe haven for terrorists." 16I'm Jill Robbins. 17Kathy Gannon and Matthew Lee reported on this story for the Associated Press. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. 18_______________________________________________ 19Words in This Story 20intra-Afghan - adj. between Afghan 21ordinary - adj. normal or usual; not unusual, different, or special 22prosperous - adj. having success usually by making a lot of money 23shade - n. an area of slight darkness that is produced when something blocks the light of the sun 24critical - adj. extremely important 25pave the way - expression. to make it easier for something to happen or for someone to do something 26ensure - v. to make (something) sure, certain, or safe 27What do you think of the Taliban peace talks? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.