Afghanistan’s recent chaos is directly related to the hasty and disorderly withdrawal of foreign troops. But withdrawal is not the end of responsibility but the beginning of reflection and correction, Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, said as the United Nations Security Council voted on a draft resolution on Afghanistan.
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Monday requiring the Taliban to honor its commitment to let people freely leave Afghanistan. The resolution was passed with 13 votes in favor, China and Russia abstained.
Geng said China has doubts about the necessity and urgency of adopting the resolution and the balance of the content of the draft, still, China participated in the consultations and both China and Russia had made crucial and reasonable suggestions to the resolution but their suggestions were not fully adopted.
Relevant countries should draw lessons from the past, earnestly respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan as well as the right of Afghans to independently determine their own future and destiny. Wantonly imposing sanctions or applying force is wrong and an act of domineering, Geng said.
What foreign troops have done in the past 20 years in Afghanistan including the criminal responsibility of US and Australian troops for indiscriminately killing of civilians, must not be completely written off and someone should be held accountable. China calls for the US to refrain from indiscriminate bombing of civilian clusters in Afghanistan, Geng said during the meeting.
The hasty withdrawal of foreign troops is likely to provide opportunities for various terrorist organizations to make a comeback as the Afghan war did not achieve the goal of eliminating terrorist forces in Afghanistan, Geng said.
The safety of Kabul Airport should be guaranteed, so that the evacuation of relevant personnel can proceed smoothly, and all parties concerned can strengthen coordination and jointly prevent new terrorist attacks, Geng said,
Afghanistan must never become the hotbed for terrorism and the distributing center for terrorists again, which is the bottom line that Afghanistan must adhere to for any future political settlement, Geng noted.
UN Security Council file photo:VCG
