The US Embassy in Kabul released a statement on Monday stating that the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Alice Wells visited Kabul from November 3-5 to meet with Afghan and international partners.
As per the statement, Ms Wells emphasised on the role of U.S. and other donors who “remain prepared to assist the elections commissions in their effort to hold a transparent, credible, and timely Presidential election that ensure Afghan citizens can safely cast their votes.”
Her discussions with leaders and officials also shed light on the preparations for the upcoming Geneva Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan. Ms Wells assured the commitment of United States to support Afghanistan with the an expected reciprocation from the side of Afghanistan through “continued progress to improve transparency and accountability of government, including by fighting corruption.”
Wells met with President Ghani, Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Acting Foreign Minister Edris Zaman, Acting Finance Minister Mohammad Humayon Qayoumi, National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib, members of the Independent Election Commission, and other Afghan leaders and civil society members, the statement informed. The various discussion points of her meetings were bilateral relations, political developments, upcoming Geneva conference on Afghanistan, and the peace process as well as elections.
“Ambassador Wells also met with international partners to discuss ongoing U.S. and international community support for efforts to promote long-term peace, security, and stability in Afghanistan and the region,” the statement concludes.
Ms Wells, who is a top diplomat of the US State Department had a packed schedule for her two-day visit to Afghanistan and she emphasised on some crucial stance of US when it comes to elections, stability, and bilateral relations.
