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Putin Reiterates Russian Stand on New Afghan Government
A new Afghan cabinet must be formed with "the broad support of all ethnic groups in that country, including Pashtuns, the most numerous," Russian President Vladimir Putin said here at a Friday press conference.
Furthermore, the government must enjoy support of the regional countries, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and also European states and the U.S., he said.
A new government must be formed once the terrorist training bases and Taliban leaders are removed, to create a normal life in Afghanistan, said the president.
Putin also called on the entire world to join a full-scale combat against terrorism, noting the on-going military operation in Afghanistan is only an important part of it.
These efforts include curbing drug trafficking and closing financial channels to terrorists, he said.
U.S. Ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow said on the same day that he did not think there were essential differences between the U.S. and Russia over the composition of the future Afghan government.
While insisting some moderate members of the Taliban movement could have a post in a future Afghan government, Vershbow stressed both countries ruled out the participation of the Taliban leaders, whom he accused of backing and sheltering Osama bin Laden.
Both countries think that the new Afghan government must be a coalition representing all ethnic groups in the country, he added.
Pashtuns, the most numerous ethnic group, must by all means serve in the government, said the ambassador.
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