Statement by the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Rome in Response to H.E. Luigi Di Maio, Foreign Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy’s Yesterday Remarks in an Interview with Rai Tre Television Channel on the Recognition of so-called Caretaker Government of the Taliban in Afghanistan.
27 September 2021
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Rome welcomes yesterday’s remarks of H.E. Luigi Di Maio, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, during an interview with Rai Tre Television Channel on the recognition of so-called caretaker government of the Taliban in Afghanistan. The principled position of our fraternal and friendly country, the Republic of Italy, in not recognizing the so-called caretaker government of the Taliban in Afghanistan, with a cabinet that consists of “17 terrorists”, and an executive board that continuously violates human rights and women’s rights, is valuable and highly appreciated.
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has raised with the international community the grave concerns of the government and citizens of Afghanistan over the Taliban's rejection of democratically living constitution of the country and their failure to uphold their commitments in legitimate transfer of power, forming an inclusive government, protecting human rights – including of children, women, and minorities – and providing unhindered access for the United Nations and other agencies to provide humanitarian assistance amid the current challenges of drought, malnutrition, food insecurity, and displacement the country faces.
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan firmly believes that the continuation of the Taliban's brutal acts in collusion with regional and international terrorists’ networks and intelligence agencies will not only lead to a humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan, but will also exacerbate violent extremism and incite terrorists in the region posing a serious and irreparable threat to the collective security of the region and the world.
Once again, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan place great emphasis on the important role of Italy on Afghanistan issues and call for continued cooperation between the two constitutionally legitimate Republics – Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Republic of Italy – to realize the common national and international aspiration and to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to the needed people in Afghanistan. At this critical juncture, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan want to strengthen the common understanding of the situation and the effectiveness of cooperation between the two countries by seeking Italy’s further support and assistance with the people of Afghanistan.
On September 9th 2021, H.E. Ambassador Khaled Ahmad Zekriya, virtually attended and spoke at the World Food Program's Briefing on Afghanistan and Ethiopia. He expressed his appreciation for WFP's persistent support with the Afghans and sought their further assistance in combating the current challenges of hanger, drought, sickness & displacement in Afghanistan.
On September 5th 2021, H.E. Ambassador Khaled Ahmad Zekriya along with H.E. Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Mirwais Naab, met Senator Salvini at his office. The two sides discussed the current situation in Afghanistan and explored different venues of cooperation between Afghanistan and Italy. Both parties agreed that resistance for liberation and national uprisings can never be silenced in Afghanistan.
On Sept 9th, H.E. Ambassador Khaled A. Zekriya met with Senator Paolo Romani at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Rome. They both exchanged views on the current situation in Afghanistan and emphasized the protection of Afghan people's last two decades of progress and democratic achievements.
Today, H.E. Ambssador Khaled Ahmad Zekriya met Senator Anna Bonfrisco at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Rome. The two sides discussed the protection of the last two decades’ democratic achievements of the Afghan people including human rights, women and minorities’ rights, freedom of press and other issues related to the Taliban/Islamic Emirate.
On Sept 13th, 2021, H.E. Ambassador Khaled Ahmad Zekriya met Dr. AbdulHakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director General and Regional Reprenstative for the Near East and North Africa (RNE). The two sides discussed the continuity of livestock production and practices n Afghanistan as well as combating drought, malnutrition and food insecurity in the country.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
In the Name of Almighty God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon and Peace Be Upon you.
First and foremost, I would like to extend my gratitude to Glocal Observatory on Local Communities, and in particular, to Mr. Vas Shenoy for holding this important gathering in memorium of the 20th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Commander Ahmad Shah Masoud as well as providing an opportunity for guests such as myself to talk about Afghanistan, Taliban, and the Future.
My discussion today will have four parts.
First, I will talk about why it is important to commemorate the Late Commander Masoud.
Second, by employing concepts such as internal and external legitimacy, I will elaborate on the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s latest stance on the announcement of the so-called the new caretaker cabinet by the Taliban.
Third, I will provide you with a couple of premises as food for thought, specifically as it relates to the implications of a terrorist organization taking power by force and forming an Islamist Radical Emirate Caretaker cabinet.
Last, I fill focus on the expectation and aspiration of millions of Afghans, that are either entrapped in Afghanistan and those of our diaspora that disturbed and perturbed as to what the international community, including Italy shall do regarding Afghanistan. This of course is prescriptive not instructive.
Let me start by saying that, some Afghans have always asked me, why is it that the world and Afghans must commemorate Late Commander Masoud?
My response is very simple. Mature Masoud was the personification of Unity, Freedom, Independence, Patriotism, Valor, Piety, Resistance and Democracy.
In fact, these are the values that we the Afghans are now fighting to protect.
At the same time, Masoud is a sign of Afghanistan’s political and social continuity, has we have seen in the recent days how people from all over Afghanistan, from different ethnic groups gathered in Panjshir to continue to fight against domestic tyranny and foreign interference in Afghanistan.
Let me tell you, in the next following days, weeks, months and even years, this struggle shall solidify and continue. In fact, the demonstration of the brave Afghan women and men in the past few days in Kabul, Herat, Badakhshan, and other part of the country are early signs of a national struggle and uprising in Afghanistan. Though in response, the Taliban killed, wiped, detained, and punished women, men, and our journalists, but they must understand that they cannot win with force and guns; they can win with their so called new strategic communication; and surely they cannot win by being supported by those states, intelligence services, and organizations that support them.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the past few days, through our engagement with the media, I have been asked repeatedly, that since the so-called Taliban Emirate caretaker cabinet has been announced, does the Afghan embassy in Italy recognize them?
My response has been No.
My reason for their non-recognition is predicated on two legal/diplomatic concepts, namely Internal legitimacy, and external legitimacy.
First, Internal legitimacy- Emanates from the Free will of the citizens of Afghanistan as envisioned in our living democratic constitution of 2004.
Our constitution epitomizes the importance of the Republic and Right to Self-Determination through Electoral Process and the preservation of democratic values and aspirations of millions of Afghan citizens who made the ultimate sacrifice next to you-our international partners around the world. At this juncture, I would like to take the opportunity to thank our international partners including our historical and fraternal ally Italy for all the sacrifices they have rendered both in blood and treasure in Afghanistan.
Second, External legitimacy-is based on multilateral and bilateral mechanisms such as the UN Charter, Vienna Convention, UNSC resolutions, bilateral and multilateral agreements, forums, and conferences as well as bilateral relations that exists between Afghanistan and host countries.
Based on the last UNSC resolution, external legitimacy can be attained by the Taliban
If they form an inclusive government (which they have not);
Be held accountable to stand by their commitments of upholding human rights, including of children, women and minorities (which they have totally obliterated);
Allow full, safe, and unhindered access for the UN and other agencies to provide humanitarian assistance (Even here, discrepancies have been witnessed, but time will tell);
Prohibit, Afghanistan’s territory for being used by terrorist organizations and their affiliates to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorist to plan or finance terrorism (This of course, stems from a sense of Naivety that a terrorist organization, where 17 out of 33 of its cabinet members are on the UN Sanction List and/or on the US Black List, with the assumption of power and possession of a political space, can change its political religious ideology and discourse); and
Another important facet of external legitimacy, which has been negated is that External Legitimacy is a manifestation of Internal legitimacy, which in this case, revolves around the acceptance of the living democratic constitution of Afghanistan.
My Friends,
At this juncture, before giving you some of the premises as food for thought, let me say this:
Contrary to our American friends’ use of this famous slogan that Americas Long War Has Ended, let me say to you, that the World’s Most Complex War-War Against Global Terrorism Has Just Began.
The following premises shall underline my claim.
Premise One-Today’s Struggle is the West against the Taliban and their terrorist affiliates and those states that either sponsor terrorism and/or have ill interests in Afghanistan.
Premise Two- The so called false and bombastic claim to victory by the Taliban against US, EU, and NATO, questions our US, EU and NATO partner’s strength, credibility, and utility in the upcoming future conflicts around the world.
Premise Three-Terrorist Organizations given political and physical space, in this case Taliban overseeing the state structure, having access to money, military weapons, and controlling the territory of Afghanistan, shall embolden other terrorist groups to overthrow other legitimate states, especially those in North Africa.
Premise Four-The so-called victory by the Taliban, shall lead to Home Grown Terrorism around the world.
Premise Five-Emerging Democratic movements and democracies around the world shall become discouraged and distanced from world democracies, because democratic values and human rights and the Republic enshrined in the living constitution of Afghanistan has been ignored.
Premise Six-States that house and espouse terrorist organizations by wanting to deflect their own domestic problems, specifically shift terrorist niches from their territory, will support the creation of terrorist client states.
Premise Seven-Afghanistan once again will become the center of illegal drug production and trade, terror financing, money laundering, and human trafficking being run by a state cartel known as the Taliban as it was witnessed in the late 90s.
Premise Eight-Diplomatic Recognition of a State ran by terrorist figures being on UN Sanction list and US Blacklist, will embolden the terror groups that the world’s political and national interests shall supersede principles of democracy and human rights.
Distinguished Guests,
Friends,
All being said, this time the international community should not back off from their principled approach.
As you may remember, first it was said that no one will engage and recognize any group that takes power by force. Then, it was reiterated that the Emirate System is unacceptable. Thereafter, it was explicitly indicated that the formation of an inclusive government is a must. Lastly, it was said that Human Rights violations are intolerable.
Now that every condition sat by the international community has been obliterated by the Taliban and tolerated by all of us, this must stop.
I plea on behalf of the citizens of my country that we must stand firm and united to not only safeguard our mutual accomplishments of the last 20 years and provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, but for the sake of getting engaged with the Taliban, accept Taliban’s demands, and thus destroy what remains of the aspirations of a proud nation as envisaged in its democratic constitution and Represented by their legitimate diplomatic missions around the world.
Thank you.
Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affair of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11
Today, the world marks the twentieth anniversary of the terror attacks on the United States of America, in which thousands of innocent men, women and children lost their lives. This event followed a worldwide condemnation of al-Qaeda and those that harbour terrorists. In October 2001, the international community partnered with the people of Afghanistan to liberate the country from international terrorism and champion democracy, pluralism, human rights and fundamental freedoms and the right to self-determination.
In the past twenty-years, working together with many friends and partners in the international community, Afghanistan underwent a tremendous transformation, amidst the challenge of being the front-line State in the global fight against international terrorism.
We pay tribute to the memory of all – including the members of our heroic security forces and the military and civilian personnel of our international friends and partners - who made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of peace, democracy, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan. To the families of all who lost their precious lives in Afghanistan: sacrifice of your sons, daughters and loved ones will be remembered.
This occasion is also a moment to recognize and honor the courage and resilience of the heroic people of Afghanistan, from all walks of life – ordinary citizens, journalists, women and youth groups, civil society and others – who played an essential role in making possible the many foundational achievements of the past twenty years. They worked and sacrificed to develop a society based on democratic values and principles, and where the people would have the liberty and opportunity to set, pursue and achieve objectives for the benefit of a more peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan.
On this September 11th, as we remember and honor the memory of all who lost their precious lives in the global fight against terrorism, let us also reaffirm a shared commitment to remain united against those who seek to undermine our way of life and all that the civilized world stands for.
Recent developments in Afghanistan require serious international attention to save and preserve what the thousands of international civilian and military personnel sacrificed for alongside their Afghan friends and comrades: a democratic and pluralistic Afghanistan in which the rights and freedoms of all citizens, especially women, are upheld and respected and which does not allow any safe haven for terrorism to threaten any other nation from its territories.
The recent illegal capture of power and territories in Afghanistan by the Taliban, the formation of their so-called caretaker government, the brutal suppression of political opposition and action against basic liberties of our people including freedom of speech and peaceful demonstration do not inspire confidence that Taliban will deliver on the basic expectations of the Afghan people and the international community. Upholding human rights, especially the rights of women, children and minorities, political inclusivity and counter-terrorism are the key national and international expectations on which the Taliban should be held accountable both nationally and internationally. Taliban’s failure to meet these foundational principles will undoubtedly risk prolongation of the conflict and pose serious threats to regional and international security and stability.
We call on the international community to not forget Afghanistan and help ensure that the will of the nation is upheld. At this most difficult juncture, a comprehensive political settlement, leading to the formation of a broad-based and fully inclusive government that protects and advances the rights of all Afghans and which will uphold the will of the nation, including the right to self-determination, is the only viable pathway forward.
Once again, we convey our deepest gratitude to all of our international friends and partners who have served and sacrificed for the cause of peace, democracy and pluralism in Afghanistan. Together, we can still save and preserve these noble values for which thousands of precious lives were sacrificed.
End.
Dichiarazione dell'Ambasciata della Repubblica Islamica dell'Afghanistan a Roma in risposta alla Dichiarazione di ieri di S.E. Luigi Di Maio, Ministro degli Esteri del Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale dell'Italia sulla situazione in Afghanistan.
10 settembre 2021
L'Ambasciata della Repubblica Islamica dell'Afghanistan a Roma accoglie con favore la dichiarazione di ieri di S.E. Luigi Di Maio, Ministro degli Esteri del Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale d'Italia sui recenti incidenti in Afghanistan, e si compiace della posizione di principio del Paese amico dell'Italia nel non riconoscere il cosiddetto governo dei talebani in Afghanistan.
Il governo della Repubblica islamica dell'Afghanistan ha sollevato, insieme alla comunità internazionale, le gravi preoccupazioni del governo e dei cittadini dell'Afghanistan per l'incapacità dei talebani di mantenere i loro impegni nel formare un governo inclusivo, proteggendo i diritti umani, compresi i bambini, le donne e le minoranze – fornire alle Nazioni Unite e ad altre agenzie un accesso senza ostacoli per fornire assistenza umanitaria e impedire che il territorio dell'Afghanistan sia utilizzato per minacciare o attaccare qualsiasi paese o per ospitare, addestrare o finanziare terroristi.
L'Ambasciata della Repubblica Islamica dell'Afghanistan crede fermamente che la continuazione degli atti brutali dei talebani, in collusione con i terroristi regionali e internazionali, non solo porterà a una catastrofe umanitaria in Afghanistan, ma aggraverà anche l'estremismo violento oltre a incitare i terroristi nella regione rappresentando una minaccia grave e irreparabile alla sicurezza collettiva della regione e del mondo.
Pertanto, il governo della Repubblica islamica dell'Afghanistan pone grande enfasi sull'importante ruolo dell'Italia sulle questioni afgane e chiede una continua cooperazione tra i due paesi per realizzare i nostri comuni interessi nazionali e internazionali. Allo stesso tempo, in rappresentanza del Governo stesso, noi vogliamo rafforzare la comune comprensione della situazione e l'efficacia della cooperazione tra i due paesi, cercando il vostro ulteriore sostegno e assistenza verso il popolo afghano.
