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US Presses for Afghan Prisoner Swap Amid Coronavirus Fears

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - The United States is calling on warring sides in
   Afghanistan to start a prisoner swap without further delay, citing
   urgency in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

   U.S. reconciliation envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in a series of tweets
   Wednesday appeared frustrated at the delay in the next steps outlined
   in Washington's peace-building agreement with the Taliban insurgency.

   "No prisoners have been released to date despite the commitment to do
   so expressed by both sides," said Khalilzad, who negotiated and signed
   the Feb. 29 U.S.-Taliban pact in Qatar.

   "The time has come to move forward on prisoner releases," he stressed.

   The accord required Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to free 5,000 Taliban
   prisoners in exchange for 1,000 detainees, mostly government security
   forces, in insurgent custody. The swap had to take place by March 10,
   when Afghan parties to the war were scheduled to open direct peace
   talks.

   The delay is largely blamed on the Afghan government that was not part
   of the U.S.-Taliban negotiations and the eventual agreement.

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