Russian comments on Taliban fuel anger in Afghanistan

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) - The description of the Taliban as a “political force” by the Russian ambassador sparked outrage in Afghanistan on Thursday.

“The Taliban are a terrorist group, not a political group and any comments by any government otherwise are condemnable,” Mujib Rahimi, spokesman for Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, said.

He added that the Taliban could only be considered a political group after they lay down their arms and accept the constitution.

In a news conference in Kabul on Wednesday night, Ambassador Alexander Mantytskiy said dialogue with the Taliban was the only way to resolve the conflict in Afghanistan.

Although he urged the militants to accept the Afghan constitution and shun violence, his reference to the Taliban as a “political force” caused concern among officials.

Moscow has been accused of backing the Taliban, a claim rejected by the Kremlin. It has acknowledged having “contacts” with the group to safeguard its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan.