Ghani to Discuss War on Terror, Peace and Security at UNGA

AVA- The Presidential Palace (ARG) on Sunday said that war on terrorism and threats emerging from terror hideouts and safe havens will be key points in President Ashraf Ghani’s address to the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York which is set to begin on Tuesday.

According to ARG, the president will also hold talks with US officials on the expansion and continuity of cooperation between Afghanistan and the US with special focus on the issue of peace and security in the country.
Ghani is expected to address the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

The main points of the president’s speech would be peace, security, war on terrorism and the stance of Afghanistan on the issue of terror hideouts and training camps, deputy presidential spokesman Dawa Khan Menapal said on Sunday.

“At the summit, the president of Afghanistan will discuss with participants the issue of threats emerging from terrorism and the cooperation of regional (countries) and the world in the fight against terrorism,” said Menapal.

But Afghans want the president to take advantage of the opportunity and raise the issue of leaders of terrorist groups operating inside Pakistani territory.

“In the session the Afghan government needs to tell the world about where the terror roots are and where they (insurgents) are being trained and equipped,” said head of Rights and Justice Party Moeen Samkani.

Meanwhile some lawmakers in parliament said the president should also focus on the role of regional nations during the UN summit so as to expand regional cooperation to help restore sustainable peace and security in the country.

“There are some countries in the region who try to prevent progress by the international community about the issues in Afghanistan, therefore the president, in the session, should take the stage to thwart such moves,” said MP Sayed Ali Kazimi.

But Afghan officials said government has taken into consideration all necessary aspects which are needed to attract international cooperation towards fighting terrorism and discussing Pakistan’s hostile policy towards Afghanistan.

“Afghan people have clear demands from Pakistan, unfortunately Pakistan never bothered to take action; the president will try to raise the voice of the people of Afghanistan to the world,” said Sediq Sediqqi, the head of government’s media center.

Ghani is meanwhile expected to meet US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly where he will discuss the implementation of America’s new war strategy for Afghanistan.

A government source said on Sunday, on condition of anonymity, that Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has also lodged a request to meet Ghani during the UN summit.