Afghanistan Peace Campaign
On Thursday, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby stated that the United States is not extending any form of direct support to the Taliban, whether diplomatically, economically, or otherwise.
This includes diplomatic assistance, economic aid, or any other means of backing. Kirby’s declaration underscores the administration’s stance amid ongoing concerns and scrutiny regarding the U.S.’s engagement with the Taliban in the wake of recent geopolitical shifts.
Kirby’s statement came as a response to reporters’ inquiries regarding a U.S. senator’s proposal to delay U.S. contributions to the UN for aid to Afghanistan. The senator raised concerns over allegations that such aid may inadvertently benefit the Taliban.
“I won’t get ahead, again, of a bill that’s still in its early stages. I would just tell you that, you know, we haven’t recognized the Taliban as the government in Afghanistan. If they want such recognition, if they want legitimacy, they got to meet their commitments, particularly to women and girls and to human rights in Afghanistan,” Kirby said.
“And we are not providing direct support to them diplomatically, economically, or in any other way.”
Kirby urged Congress to increase the allocation of Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for Afghans by an additional 20,000 visas.
He emphasized that the current pace of allocation indicates that all 7,000 remaining Afghan SIVs will be utilized by August of this year.
“Even though our war in Afghanistan ended, our commitment to Afghans and our commitment to those who helped us in that war has not ended. And we absolutely feel fully committed, and morally so, to do everything we can to get those folks a pathway out of Afghanistan,” Kirby added.