Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Pompeo Meets With Afghan, Taliban Negotiators in Qatar

VOA News

   U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Saturday that the United
   States would "sit on the side and help where we can" as he met in Qatar
   with Afghan government negotiators amid signs of progress to reach a
   peace agreement with the Taliban.

   "I would be most interested in getting your thoughts on how we can
   increase the probability of a successful outcome," reporters heard
   Pompeo telling the Afghan negotiating team.

   The outgoing top U.S. diplomat also met with Taliban negotiators in
   Doha as the U.S. speeds up its withdrawal of U.S. troops from
   Afghanistan after invading the country in 2001.

   Pompeo and the Taliban negotiating team discussed how to reduce
   violence in the war-torn country, according to a statement from State
   Department spokesperson Cale Brown. Pompeo also "encouraged expedited
   discussions" to develop a "political road map" leading to a permanent
   cease-fire in Afghanistan.

   The Taliban and Afghanistan's government began negotiating for the
   first time in September in Doha after the Taliban and the U.S. signed a
   deal in February. The U.S. agreed to withdraw all foreign troops in
   exchange for security guarantees and a Taliban commitment to begin
   negotiations.

   Pompeo met earlier Saturday in Doha with United Arab Emirates Crown
   Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and discussed the UAE's
   normalization of ties with Israel, countering Iran's influence in the
   Middle East, and the need to reach a political solution to achieve
   peace in Yemen, the State Department said.

   The secretary of state also meets in Doha with Qatar's ruler, Emir
   Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the deputy prime minister and the
   foreign minister. They will discuss defense and counterterrorism
   initiatives and economic opportunities, according to the State
   Department.

   Pompeo's visit to Qatar is the latest stop on a 10-day, seven nation
   tour of the Middle East and Europe as outgoing U.S. President Donald
   Trump shores up late-term priorities.

.