Russian, Tajik And Afghan Presidents Demand That The Taliban Meet Terms Set By Anti-terror Coalition

The unconditional fulfilment of the demands set by the anti-terrorist coalition is the necessary condition for a political settlement of the situation in Afghanistan, says the statement adopted on the results of the meeting between the presidents of Russia, Tajikistan and the Islamic state of Afghanistan in Dushanbe on Monday. The demands include, in particular, the extradition of the masterminds and organizers of the September 11 terror attacks on New York and Washington, the abolishment of the Taliban rule, which gave shelter to terrorist and extremist groups, and the disbandment and complete disarmament of their armed formations, says the document. It points out that the refusal of the Taliban regime to meet the conditions set by the anti-terrorist coalition has entailed more sufferings for the Afghan people, with the flow of refugees and displaced persons growing. The statement stresses that in order to achieve a long-term settlement of the situation in Afghanistan , the political settlement process must also be sped up. The presidents noted their preparedness to actively join this important work. The heads of the three states expressed firm conviction that the political process must be aimed at forming a government of the Afghanistan to include representatives of all the nations and ethnic groups of the country. The government must be formed as result of a free expression of the people's will. The document also stresses the need to step up the role of the UN and all those states that are prepared to assist political settlement in Afghanistan, The sides pointed to the need and topicality of permanent consultations at different levels, due to the extremely tense situation inside Afghanistan and around it. The statement notes that the Tajik and Russian sides confirm their preparedness to give the government of the Islamic state of Afghanistan the assistance necessary for its struggle against the Taliban regime with a view to creating conditions for the settlement of the protracted crisis in Afghanistan. The presidents of Russia, Tajikistan and the Islamic state of Afghanistan expressed serious concern over the obtaining humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and called on the world community to step up the provision of assistance to the population of this country. The statement was signed by Russian president Vladimir Putin, Tajik president Emomaly Rakhmonov and the president of the Islamic state of Afghanistan, Burhanuddin Rabbani.