Taliban calls on US Congress to release frozen goods from Afghanistan Taliban News

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The group says $ 9.5 billion in frozen assets and loans will worsen the country’s humanitarian crisis.
The Taliban has called on members of the U.S. Congress to act to liberate Afghanistan goods frozen after taking over the country in August.
In an open letter on Wednesday, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said the biggest challenge facing Afghanistan is financial insecurity, “and the root of this concern is the freezing of our people’s assets by the American government.”
“I urge … them to open the door to future relations, to thaw the assets of the Central Bank of Afghanistan and to lift sanctions on our banks,” he wrote, warning that domestic economic turmoil could cause problems abroad, leading to mass migration, “creating more humanitarian and economic problems. has ”.
Since the Taliban took power, Washington has seized nearly $ 9.5 billion in assets from the Afghan central bank. In October, U.S. Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said he had seen a U.S. Senate committee. no situation where the Taliban would be allowed access to the central bank reserves of Afghanistan
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s aid-dependent economy has actually collapsed, with officials not paying for months and the treasury unable to pay for imports.
Although concerned nations have provided hundreds of millions of dollars in aid, many do eager to commit funds unless the Taliban support a more inclusive government and guarantee the rights of women and minorities.
“I present our praises to you and would like to share some thoughts on our bilateral relations,” Muttaqi wrote, noting that 2021 was the centenary of Washington’s recognition of Afghanistan’s independence.
“Like other countries in the world, our bilateral relations have also experienced ups and downs,” he added, underestimating the 20-year war between US-led foreign forces and the country’s group.
So far, Washington has not accepted the Taliban as a legitimate government in Afghanistan, although last week the administration of President Joe Biden announced that Qatar would have its function. diplomatic representative in the country.
‘Understand your concerns’
In the letter, Muttaqi argued that he had been in stable government for more than 40 years in Afghanistan for the first time, beginning with the 1979 invasion of the Soviet Union and ending with the withdrawal of the last U.S. troops on 31 August.
The Taliban previously ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, imposing savage policies that violated human rights, especially in the case of women and girls. Returning to their power has sparked fears about human rights.
Since taking power, the group’s leaders have sought to convince the international community that this time they intend to do things differently, even though they have so far decided not to appoint a female minister and mostly to return girls to secondary education. little to alleviate worries.
“Practical steps have been taken towards governance, security and transparency,” Muttaqi wrote.
“There is no threat to the region or the world from Afghanistan and a path to positive cooperation has been opened.”
Muttaqi said Afghans “understand the concerns of the international community,” but that it is necessary for all parties to take positive steps to build trust.
He warned that they risk further damaging the U.S. reputation in the country, “and this will be the worst memory rooted in Afghans at the hands of America.”
“We hope that members of the American Congress will reflect well in this regard,” he added.
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