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| Pompeo visits Kabul to try to revive flagging Afghan peace talks | Pompeo visits Kabul to try to revive flagging Afghan peace talks |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| US secretary of state arrives after many leaders curtail travel because of coronavirus | US secretary of state arrives after many leaders curtail travel because of coronavirus |
| Mike Pompeo has flown to Kabul in an attempt to salvage a short-lived peace agreement, making the unscheduled trip to Afghanistan despite the dangers of international travel spreading coronavirus. | |
| The US secretary of state, who faces discontent among his staff for the state department’s handling of the pandemic, spent nearly nine hours on Monday in the Afghan capital, where he held meetings with the incumbent president, Ashraf Ghani, and his rival Abdullah Abdullah, who is disputing Ghani’s official victory in last year’s elections. Both men have held their own separate inauguration ceremonies. | |
| “We are in a crisis,” a senior state department official told CNN, explaining Pompeo’s decision to fly to Kabul. | “We are in a crisis,” a senior state department official told CNN, explaining Pompeo’s decision to fly to Kabul. |
| The rift in Kabul and the breakdown of a planned prisoner exchange with the Taliban have stalled progress toward peace talks following a temporary ceasefire agreed on 29 February, under which the Taliban said it would not attack US troops as they withdrew from the country. | The rift in Kabul and the breakdown of a planned prisoner exchange with the Taliban have stalled progress toward peace talks following a temporary ceasefire agreed on 29 February, under which the Taliban said it would not attack US troops as they withdrew from the country. |
| US and allied troops have begun withdrawal, but Taliban attacks on Afghan targets have almost returned to their pre-ceasefire level and there is no immediate prospect of political negotiations between the insurgents and government officials that were supposed to start on 10 March. | US and allied troops have begun withdrawal, but Taliban attacks on Afghan targets have almost returned to their pre-ceasefire level and there is no immediate prospect of political negotiations between the insurgents and government officials that were supposed to start on 10 March. |
| The two sides held talks via Skype on Sunday, but there was no sign of a breakthrough on the core disagreement. The Afghan government wants a staggered release of prisoners, but the Taliban are demanding Kabul free 5,000 of its fighters at once, as the US agreed in February, apparently without full consultation with the Afghan government. | The two sides held talks via Skype on Sunday, but there was no sign of a breakthrough on the core disagreement. The Afghan government wants a staggered release of prisoners, but the Taliban are demanding Kabul free 5,000 of its fighters at once, as the US agreed in February, apparently without full consultation with the Afghan government. |
| Pompeo was expected to fly from Kabul to Doha, where Taliban negotiators are based, on Monday night. | Pompeo was expected to fly from Kabul to Doha, where Taliban negotiators are based, on Monday night. |
| The official number of coronavirus cases in Afghanistan stands at 34, but there is very limited testing and the disease is expected to be much more widespread, posing dangers of an epidemic among prisoners in particular. | The official number of coronavirus cases in Afghanistan stands at 34, but there is very limited testing and the disease is expected to be much more widespread, posing dangers of an epidemic among prisoners in particular. |
| “Everyone clearly understands the coronavirus threat makes prisoner releases that much more urgent,” the US special envoy for Afghan peace talks, Zalmay Khalilzad, said in a tweet. | “Everyone clearly understands the coronavirus threat makes prisoner releases that much more urgent,” the US special envoy for Afghan peace talks, Zalmay Khalilzad, said in a tweet. |
| Pompeo staked his diplomatic reputation on the deal with the Taliban, which he signed in Qatar on behalf of the US. He took the decision to fly at a time when face-to-face diplomacy has been reduced to a minimum. A meeting of foreign ministers from the G7 group of wealthy democracies, due to take place in Pittsburgh this week, will be held via teleconference instead. The state department has urged US citizens not to travel. | Pompeo staked his diplomatic reputation on the deal with the Taliban, which he signed in Qatar on behalf of the US. He took the decision to fly at a time when face-to-face diplomacy has been reduced to a minimum. A meeting of foreign ministers from the G7 group of wealthy democracies, due to take place in Pittsburgh this week, will be held via teleconference instead. The state department has urged US citizens not to travel. |
| Pompeo has been criticised for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Press reports quote US diplomats as complaining they have not received clear guidance on how to handle the crisis, leaving embassies to come up with their own procedures. There has also been criticism over delays in repatriating US citizens trapped abroad, and a lack of transparency over the extent of coronavirus among US diplomats. | Pompeo has been criticised for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Press reports quote US diplomats as complaining they have not received clear guidance on how to handle the crisis, leaving embassies to come up with their own procedures. There has also been criticism over delays in repatriating US citizens trapped abroad, and a lack of transparency over the extent of coronavirus among US diplomats. |
| The first confirmed case at state department headquarters in Washington was confirmed on Thursday. Most Washington staff are now working from home, but have been told that any time spent on childcare would be deducted from their pay. | The first confirmed case at state department headquarters in Washington was confirmed on Thursday. Most Washington staff are now working from home, but have been told that any time spent on childcare would be deducted from their pay. |
| “We’re trying to get clarity,” a US official said. “We don’t have enough information, frankly, from the leadership and we’re looking for more transparency and more information about what’s going on.” | |
| “What we’re asking for is basically facts and figures,” the official said. “We still don’t know exactly how many members of the foreign service have been confirmed positive.” | “What we’re asking for is basically facts and figures,” the official said. “We still don’t know exactly how many members of the foreign service have been confirmed positive.” |
| Eric Rubin, the president of the American Foreign Service Association said: “Our foreign service colleagues serving around the world are anxious for details about the spread of the virus and how it has affected Americans serving their country overseas. We have called on the leadership of our agencies to provide maximum transparency, and to share as much information as possible with our colleagues, while respecting confidentiality concerns. | Eric Rubin, the president of the American Foreign Service Association said: “Our foreign service colleagues serving around the world are anxious for details about the spread of the virus and how it has affected Americans serving their country overseas. We have called on the leadership of our agencies to provide maximum transparency, and to share as much information as possible with our colleagues, while respecting confidentiality concerns. |
| “No one is asking for zero risk, and in fact our foreign service is committed to serving in dangerous and unhealthy situations when it is necessary to defend our country and its interests. At the same time, our people need to know that their leadership has their backs, and will do everything possible to keep them informed and supported in this difficult time.” | “No one is asking for zero risk, and in fact our foreign service is committed to serving in dangerous and unhealthy situations when it is necessary to defend our country and its interests. At the same time, our people need to know that their leadership has their backs, and will do everything possible to keep them informed and supported in this difficult time.” |
| Diplomats deemed to be at high risk from the disease have been told they can leave their posts, but it has been left unclear which jobs, if any, they would be returning to, according to CNN. | Diplomats deemed to be at high risk from the disease have been told they can leave their posts, but it has been left unclear which jobs, if any, they would be returning to, according to CNN. |
| Pompeo did little to allay claims of absent leadership during the health emergency when he posted personal tweets over the weekend of his family doing a jigsaw puzzle and watching television. | Pompeo did little to allay claims of absent leadership during the health emergency when he posted personal tweets over the weekend of his family doing a jigsaw puzzle and watching television. |
| “Pro tip: if you’re missing the beach, just throw on Top Gun!” he said. | “Pro tip: if you’re missing the beach, just throw on Top Gun!” he said. |