Deputy spokesperson of the State Department, Robert Palladino has said “Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with Afghanistan’s President Ghani to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to achieving a lasting peace in Afghanistan.”
Palladino further added that “The Secretary underscored Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad’s role in facilitating an inclusive peace process.”
“The Secretary also emphasized the importance of an intra-Afghan dialogue and the role of a ceasefire in ending the violence and creating the conditions for the Afghan government, other Afghan leaders and the Taliban to sit together and negotiate a political settlement,” Palladino added.
The Office of the President (ARG Palace) in a statement confirmed that President Ghani and U.S. Secretary of State discussed bilateral issues in a telephone conversation.
Mr. Pompeo has said the ambiguities in certain discussions normally lead to rumors but such rumors can not replace the practical steps and that the bilateral relations remains strong between the two countries, according to the statement by ARG Palace.
The statement also added that the military unity will remain between Afghanistan and the United States until a sustainable peace is achieved.