U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday hailed the deal agreed between the United States and the Taliban that could bring American involvement in Afghanistan closer to an end, even as critics from his own party raised concern.
Trump, speaking hours after U.S. and Taliban representatives signed a deal that could pave the way toward a full withdrawal of foreign soldiers and move closer to ending the 18-year war in Afghanistan, said he would personally meet leaders of the Taliban in the near future.
U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference annual meeting, Maryland, U.S., February 29, 2020. /Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference annual meeting, Maryland, U.S., February 29, 2020. /Reuters
While the agreement paves the way for the United States to gradually pull out of its longest war, many expect upcoming talks to come between the multiple Afghan sides to be far more complicated.
Among the skeptics on Saturday was Senator Lindsey Graham, the Trump loyalist and foreign policy hawk. In a statement, he said "it is time to try" but warned, "I am very suspect of the Taliban ever accepting the Afghan constitution and honoring the rights of religious minorities and women."
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John Bolton, the former national security adviser to Trump, described the agreement as an "unacceptable risk" and "an Obama-style deal."
Trump's willingness to meet Taliban leaders at the presidential retreat in Camp David, Maryland last year – a meeting that was ultimately canceled – was a factor in Bolton's exit from the White House.
Republican U.S. Representative Liz Cheney, daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, also complained about the deal and said the Trump administration should disclose how it plans to verify Taliban compliance.
"Today's agreement with the Taliban includes concessions that could threaten the security of the United States," she warned.
Trump said at a news conference at the White House that the agreement should allow the United States to draw down its troops in Afghanistan from 13,000 to 8,600. He held out the possibility of withdrawals beyond that number, but said the United States could quickly move forces back into the country if needed.
In later remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference annual meeting in Maryland, Trump said if the Taliban lives up to its commitments the war will "be over."
"We can't be the policeman for the world," he added.
(With inputs from agencies)