Taliban Spokesperson on US Military Hardware, Afghan Resources, and Diplomacy

New Chapter with the US

• 🇦🇫 The Taliban seeks to close the 20-year chapter of warfare and open a new one focused on a stable and prosperous Afghanistan, which they believe is also in the US interest.
• 🤝 Normal diplomatic engagement is presented as the best way to find common ground and secure mutual interests between Afghanistan and the United States.

Stance on US Military Hardware and Frozen Assets

• 💰 The Taliban asserts that US military hardware left behind belongs to Afghanistan and will not be returned, viewing it as an asset of the Afghan state.
• 🏦 Similarly, they insist that frozen Central Bank of Afghanistan assets are the property of the Afghan people and state, and must be released without any conditions.
• 🚫 The government rejects any deal that would trade military hardware for the release of frozen currency reserves, emphasizing that such assets should not be conditioned on any demands.

Afghanistan's Natural Resources and Business Opportunities

• 💎 Afghanistan possesses vast natural resources, including minerals and rare earth minerals, and is open for business to all countries, including US companies.
• ⛏️ The country is now at a stage where peace and security conditions are in place to utilize these natural resources, with doors open for exploration and partnership.

Diplomatic Relations and International Engagement

• 🌍 The Taliban aims to normalize relations and reopen its embassy in Washington D.C. and consulates in New York, mirroring its operational embassies in over 40 countries.
• 🤝 They are open to the US reopening its embassy in Afghanistan and see potential for cooperation on various issues, including security and humanitarian assistance.

Internal Affairs and Universal Rights

• ⚖️ The Taliban views issues like the education of women and girls as internal affairs and a sovereign prerogative of the state.
• 🚫 They maintain this stance despite international recognition that the rights of women and girls are universal human rights, not subject to exceptions by individual countries.