Chief Afghan peace envoy says US troops pulling out too

 Afghanistan's chief peace envoy Abdullah Abdullah said Saturday that US decision to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan has come too soon, as his country is still struggling to attain peace and security amid an ongoing conflict.In an interview with Associated Press, Abdullah also described as “shocking” an Australian military report that found evidence that elite Australian troops unlawfully killed 39 Afghan prisoners. He welcomed a decision by Australian authorities to pursue perpetrators. Abdullah spoke in Ankara where he sought Turkey's support for negotiations between Afghan government and Taliban that are taking place in Qatar to find an end to deces of war. talks have me little progress so far.

“This is decision of US ministration and we respect it," Abdullah said of US decision this week to reduce troops levels in Afghanistan from more than 4,500 to 2,500.

Our preference would have been that with conditions improving, this should have taken place. Acting US Defense Secretary Christopher Miller anunced that Washington would reduce troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan by mid-January, in line with President Donald Trump's pledge to bring US forces home. Afghan officials have expressed concerns that a rapid reduction in American troops could strengn negotiating hand of Taliban, while militants are still waging a full-fledged insurgency against government forces.

“It's t like things will go as we wish,” Abdullah said, ding, however, that he welcomed fact 2,500 troops will remain and that NATO will also retain its presence.

chief negotiator said he was confident that United States will continue to support peace talks between Afghan government and Taliban during President-elect Joe Biden's ministration.

What form or what shape it will take that remains to be seen but y will certainly push for a peaceful settlement, Abdullah said.

Abdullah, who shared power in Afghanistan's last government as chief executive and before that as foreign minister, cautioned that “a comprehensive settlement will come as a result of negotiation between Afghan government and Taliban,” regardless of any possible new input by new US ministration.

Washington signed a deal with Taliban in February to pave way for Doha talks and American forces' eventual withdrawal. Americans championed deal as Afghanistan's best chance at lasting peace.

Abdullah's meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and or Turkish officials came days after Australia revealed a report into war crimes that found evidence that elite Australian troops unlawfully killed 39 Afghan prisoners, farmers, and civilians.

It was shocking,” Abdullah said of report but welcomed fact that Australia h come clear about it. 

He ded that re is promise, prospect of prosecution for those who have committed se heius crimes that will count. This will help to prevent se s of crimes.

top Afghan official also said he h asked Turkey to “reenergize” its efforts in support of peace process, and suggested that Turkey appoint a “special envoy” to support negotiations.

(IM CREDITS:Twitter/@DrabdullahCE)