Afghan president seeks 'clarification' after Trump war comments
86
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday said that the United States should clarify remarks President Donald Trump made about Afghanistan, including a claim he could easily win the war but didn't “want to kill 10 million people”.
The US leader made several surprising statements on Monday alongside Prime Minister Imran Khan at the White House, including that he had plans for a quick end to the Afghan conflict, but which would wipe the country “off the face of the Earth”.
Afghanistan “would be gone. It would be over in literally, in 10 days,” Trump said, adding, “I don't want to go that route” and that he didn't want to kill millions.
His comments sparked upset and outrage in Afghanistan, where the war-weary and traumatised population is already worried about a precipitous pull-out of US forces and whether that means a return to Taliban rule and a spiralling civil war.
“The government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan calls for clarification on the US president's statements expressed at a meeting with the Pakistan prime minister, via diplomatic means and channels,” Ghani's office said in a statement.
Trump also said Pakistan would help the US “extricate” itself from Afghanistan, adding there was “tremendous potential” in the relationship between Washington and Islamabad.
Meanwhile, Ghani is furious about being continually sidelined by the US in ongoing peace talks with the Taliban.
“While the Afghan government supports the US efforts for ensuring peace in Afghanistan, the government underscores that foreign heads of state cannot determine Afghanistan's fate in absence of the Afghan leadership,” Ghani's office said.
Everyday Afghans took to social media to vent after Trump's comments.
“I feel shocked, threatened and humiliated. We trusted Americans to help us in the war against terror, and now President Trump is threatening us with genocide,” Facebook user Mohd Farhad wrote.
Trump's peace envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, meanwhile arrived in Kabul on Tuesday ahead of what will be the eighth round of direct talks he's held with the Taliban.
Those discussions are expected to get underway in Doha in the coming days, with Ghani and his administration once again locked out.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (86) Closed
Jul 23, 2019 04:12pm
Everyone in this planet knows, that Trump is a loud mouth and lunatic rolled into one. So no one should take offence at the Gibberish that he says. In the same vein, Pakistan should have waited out Trump, before an official visit. Nothing he says can be taken seriously.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 04:12pm
Is there any nation behind this president or just a bunch of war lords fulfilling their own agendas.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 04:21pm
That's the strength of sovereignty. It can demand clarification even from the mightiest when their sovereignty is mocked.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 04:29pm
That was a very crude comment from some one occupying a high office. Nobody should take Trump seriously. He is an embarrassment to USA. We will be foolish to depend on this guy.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 04:37pm
Who is talking to this stooge? His utility is over.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 04:43pm
Ghani dont ask questions when elders are talking.....irony is afghan is asking question from the hand that feeds them
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 04:47pm
The statement is no doubt objectionable but Ghani administration is not a representative one of the people of Afghanistan rather a government appointed by the US.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 04:52pm
When IK and trump are together, such irrational statements are not unusual !!!
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 04:52pm
sorry but it's true, US is a superpower they can dust Afghanistan if they wanted to
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 04:53pm
Yeah the afgans got a bit of a rough deal but no running away from reality
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 04:55pm
Both Pakistani PM and US President are not trustworthy !!
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 05:04pm
Mr Ghani,
Why are you surprised or angry . Reality is you are powerless and no one believes the deal signed by you is not worth the paper it is written on. Therefore the negotiators want to talk to your masters
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 05:05pm
President Trump has always supported Government at Kabul. The warning is for those warmongers extremists, for not to play around with and keep engaged Americans. Either settle differences and stay happy, else....
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 05:09pm
It is better to say nothing when you have nothing.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 05:15pm
Those comments were very harsh - but I think trump just wanted to show people that he was coming from a position of strength.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 05:21pm
There are only two ways to end the conflict in AFG: political solution, large-scale brute force without any regard to human lives. Trump was referring to the latter.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 05:21pm
Where is that poster boy Amarullah Salah?
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 05:24pm
I think what Mr. Trump wanted to say is the Afghanistan problem lies outside the south border and did not want to bomb this place where refuged Afghanistanis also lives.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 05:25pm
Trump will soon inform via a tweet that he was doing okay till the visiting PM took something out of his pocket and the moment he smelled the smoke that was being consumed by the guest, he felt euphoric and started talking non-sense.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 05:27pm
This is what happens when you try to say yes sir too much
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 05:33pm
Trump is a low-information loudmouth who knows nothing of any practical benefit regarding military matters. The "win easily" and "10 million" illustrate that.
He is also a draft-dodger from the Vietnam era. I'd already served two combat cruises in the Tonkin Gulf, and that yellow-belly got a doctor to mark him 'unfit for military service', even though he'd already passed one draft physical two years before.
I voted for him once and will again next year, but all it says is that American national politics has entered a cultural sewer.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 05:38pm
At this point in time no one in the Globe takes Trump seriously. When a statement is loaded with irrational and delusional claims, why should people care? Pakistan is well advised to keep away from the statements emanating from Trump especially after Mr. Imran Khans visit. Trump has become laughing stock and all leaders of the World are waiting for his tenure to be over with!
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 05:40pm
Who ever said they need afghan head of states approvel. As time has taught us, give afghan money and then do what you want with them. So stop making statments that you cant back ok mr ghani ganzi or what ever your name is.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 05:40pm
'Donald Trump made about Afghanistan, including a claim he could easily win the war but didn't “want to kill 10 million people”.
Mr Trump, please don't, we can't take the rest of the 6 million again this time. They will come running to Pakistan as no one else wants them.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 05:45pm
Most unfortunate comments, mobbing of a sovereign state in a clear violation of the international law...
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 05:51pm
There seems no one solution acceptable to all parties. Or if there is, somebody sitting around the corner pretends that he is unhappy and that too for no reason. A solution beneficial and enduring for a common man should be acceptable regardless of one person's disagreement.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 05:58pm
Was he under influence of some drug? Only White House can whitewash...
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 05:59pm
A person whose bread and butter are from US, asking clarification... outstanding! Can some one ask Mr Ghani, when you taking all refugees back from Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 06:01pm
"Foreign heads of state cannot determine Afghanistan's fate in absence of the Afghan leadership" superb line. This is how Afghanistan should always speak
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 06:13pm
Great comment by Mr Trump. Shows how much he respects PMIK and Pakistan. Bravo
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 06:18pm
Forget about remarks. Peace is important. You are President of Afganistan with the blessings of US. Don't try to catch words. Everybody is sick and tired from this war. Let's grab the opportunity for peace with both hands and work for the progress and prosperity of the country.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 06:26pm
When vassal speaks loud against his feudal lord, he knows his time is over.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 06:26pm
Don't seek clarifications, Trump will deduct your salary.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 06:33pm
@Khurshid Qazi, How many times IK and Trump have been together? There is no precedence. This was a first and IK maintained perfect diplomatic posture & spoke eloquently.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 06:33pm
I fully support the president of USA and every word he says about Afghanistan. Haven't said this, the fact is that the Govt of Afghanistan is a puppet Govt and has no weight in making any decisions. Political statement which are coming from Afghan Govt are just statements and nothing more.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 06:35pm
@Khurshid Qazi, maybe we should go back to Zardari or Shariff where no statement was possible owing to a lack of understanding.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 06:37pm
@Stay in Pakistan, Same applies to Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 06:41pm
Sweeter than honey Iron brother China, the next Superpower according to Pakistan is dumped by Pakistan in favour of the actual superpower. What will iron brother say.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 06:51pm
What clarification do you need? Trump said it in very plain terms even a child could understand.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 06:57pm
The clarification was given by IK during his interview with fox news... Ashraf Ghani could watch that interview
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 07:03pm
Perhaps Modi could clarify it for you.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 07:40pm
Mr. Trump is 100% right and Afghan President looks annoyed because he can foresee the stoppage of free dollars after the U.S. troops leave Afghanistan. U.S. president seems to be unwilling to waste American,s tax money into this waste land after having seen the collapse Russians economy because of drainage done due to prolong war in Afghanistan. Afghan president and the war lords should wake up, smell the coffee and start work for honest living.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 07:57pm
Ghani's corruption will be exposed soon.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 08:01pm
Wow! A talking puppet.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 08:03pm
Why Pakistan to indulge in AFG and US internals.we have enough of our own prob let's leave these guys alone figuring out themselves
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 08:45pm
Mayor of Kabul, shown his true worth by USA.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 09:14pm
The treatment of President Ghani has been shoddy and shameful. Why he does not step
down is hard to figure...
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 09:27pm
Trump may think of himself a smart man. His conversation yesterday with PM of Pakistan Imran Khan was completely childish. In one sentence he was threatening Afghan nation wipe out and in same sentence he was begging Pakistan for help. I applaud the Imran Khan for his concentration and composer where he was just quite and listening the non sense claims by the leader of Americans. His threats were a cry for help and his appeasing statement for Pakistan were also in same sense.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 09:27pm
He was just referring to the atomic bomb!
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 09:30pm
@Empty Head, Perhaps Modi should have waited out before visiting Trump 8 times.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 09:30pm
He just said that Afghanistan should learn from Japan's experience in WW2!
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 09:34pm
Ghani, do not byte the feeding hand
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 09:34pm
I love Trump. He is a genius.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 09:44pm
@Adeel Saleem, It is not internal matter between Afghan and U.S. because Pakistan is badly affected by the conflict in Afghanistan and has lost more than 70000 persons beside huge losses to her economy. We can,t ignore war in Afghanistan because peace in Pakistan is also linked to peace in Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 09:49pm
@S Bara, please indulge me.....we don't get free food, we paid for all the money USA provided by giving them land access and logistics....to be honest we gave them lot more than we received so no "same Does not applies to Pakistan"
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 10:07pm
its fine dude, they are your bosses. They got you into power. I wonder why you are asking this?
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 10:07pm
This is all frustration. The U.S. wants to get out of this own created mess but with a face saving. American haven't learned from history that no one can shape the world according to its sweet will. The shameful retreat is awaiting them.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 10:08pm
WHT value you have. Nothing.
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 10:59pm
he probably want to know which ten days on calendar has been selected
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 11:03pm
Did he really mean Afghanistan ? He pointed to Imran khan saying " you understand that better than anybody".
Recommend
0
Jul 23, 2019 11:13pm
Trump; hey Ghani, you are asking for the clarification from the president of United States of America, don't u remember what I've said to Saudis "you would not last two weeks' without US support".
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 12:05am
So meaning every country should have nuclear missile to defend themselves from countries like USA.
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 01:06am
What can you expect from someone who thinks that the entire world is against him?
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 01:24am
Mr. Ghani don't dare to seek clarification from Trump. At least USA have been feeding you and other elite Afghan leaders since their birth.
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 01:32am
@Rana Talukdar, capital one., what a sovereignty they have America feed them dress them arm them and sells them. if it was the case then they would be sitting on the negotiating table. obvious they are the slave and America is the master
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 01:51am
@Khurshid Qazi, neither are you so please stop writing rubbish.
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 01:52am
@Thomas, Is that why half of Afghanistan is under Taliban control.....
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 02:07am
@Rana Talukdar, capital one., That's the strength of a super power, it will ignore them.
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 02:08am
@Atif, good one.
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 02:13am
@S Bara, We don't work like Indians, who are friendless, isolated and in the wilderness, like the moon junk they keep sending and it keeps getting lost.
We have a brother friend China, consistent, US an old friend but moody, we made up and they are back and a new friend Russia. You have none of the above. Don't cry.
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 02:13am
@Ahmed, Modi is clueless.
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 02:19am
@Alex Iqbal, 'It is better to say nothing when you have nothing'
Otherwise you lose everything.
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 02:20am
@Empty Head, Tell that to the Indians, their media is going into hypertension then into coma.
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 02:40am
Who is this guy Ghani?
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 03:27am
@Rana Talukdar, capital one., Everybody knows Ghani is just a dummy puppet The American can send him home any day anytime and Taliban squash him of his Empire of few kilometres around Kabul in a day or two, he is irrelevant in this process, Pakistan is the real deal and strength in this region, not India not Afghanistan. Trump has realized that now and requesting Pakistan to save America's face to flee from that country where they have no business to be in and Pakistan like always will help an old friend the USA.
the
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 03:32am
afghan president want to know which tens days so he can run out of country
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 04:14am
@Rashid, I think he is mostly alone, as most stooges are.
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 04:16am
Maybe the US is playing a kind game, are won't withdraw at all, given the anti-Iran rhetoric and actions.
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 04:22am
@Sheraz Ali, please bring back your sister and daughter back from amirca then talk about Afghan
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 04:33am
@Empty Head, so your saying the Pakistan should have waited another 5 years before visiting America.
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 05:01am
@Rana Talukdar, capital one., what Sovereignty ,The same person has sold the country against the will of their citizens to Indians and West ,just to stay in power.How could Modi who is killing Kashmiries could be friend of Muslim Afghans.
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 05:03am
@Khurshid Qazi, then who is trust worthy, the killer Modi?
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 07:15am
@Rana Talukdar, capital one., But what about the aids ( financial) for which even Pakistan is also in look.
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 07:32am
The comments were inappropriate. But, Mr. Ghani might be an economist, but anyone even remotely related to science realizes the destructive potential of modern weapons since before the start of cold. That exactly is the reason why it was "cold". And this is the reason why resolution of conflicts via dialogue is of paramount importance.
Keeping this is mind, many people have started playing chicken, where they don't engage in a reasonable and just dialogue, in hope that the other would back down for safety of both. This is shameful, and both, the Afghan government, and Taliban are guilty of this.
One wrong doesn't make another, right. And the arrogant, and demeaning comment reflects poorly on the USA.
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 07:34am
@S Bara, Stop speaking nonsense. Pakistan isn't "dumping" China for USA. China already has much better relations with USA already, and wants the same for Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Jul 24, 2019 10:58am
What legitimacy do you have, Mr Ghani? How much of Afghanistan is under your control? You're merely the president of Kabul, at best.
Recommend
0
