Today, @SE_AfghanWGH Rina Amiri and I joined a range of Afghanistan envoys for a conference in Tashkent to discuss the way ahead at a difficult moment for millions of Afghans. I am grateful to our Uzbek hosts for their initiative and hospitality. While tools and perspectives differed, I found some important areas of continuing consensus among envoys present regarding enduring international priorities in Afghanistan.

1/9 I joined European colleagues for three days of important talks with Afghan civil society and Taliban leaders this week. Fair to say we were all blunt with each other re: our concerns. 2/9 It was an honor to meet courageous rights activists, journalists, pvt sector leaders and former public servants from inside and outside Afghanistan. Their messages to the Taliban were compelling and urgent.

1/5 The Taliban’s letter to Congress earlier this week misconstrued the facts re Afghanistan’s economic & humanitarian crisis. Afghanistan was unfortunately already suffering a terrible humanitarian crisis before mid-August, made worse by war, years of drought, & the pandemic. 2/5 U.S. officials made clear to the Taliban for years that if they pursued a military takeover rather than a negotiated settlement with fellow Afghans...

1/5 Our war in Afghanistan is over. Our brave Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen served with distinction and sacrifice to the very end. They have our enduring gratitude and respect. 2/5 With the departure of our military & those of the many partners who stood w/ us, Afghans face a moment of decision & opportunity. Their country's future is in their hands. They will choose their path in full sovereignty. This is the chance to bring their war to an end as well

1/4 Just concluded a productive three days of consultations in Kabul with government officials, civil society and women leaders, and other Afghan political figures. 2/4 With all parties, I outlined our focus on Afghanistan, diplomacy, and garnering wider international support in order to help Afghans make more rapid progress on the peace process.

1/4 I had the opportunity to brief @SecBlinken on the #AfghanistanPeaceProcess in the context of our continuing policy review.

https://twitter.com/SecBlinken/status/1357375745685934082

2/4 We discussed the focus on our conditions-based strategy, one that brings peace to Afghanistan, secures a stable future for its citizens, and prevents anyone from using Afghanistan to threaten the United States and our allies.

1/3 I am shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Hakim Dalili, the indefatigable Afghan Ambassador to Qatar. My condolences to his family, the Afghan community in Qatar, and his friends and admirers across Afghanistan. 2/3 As Afghanistan’s envoy to Qatar, where he had studied and taught with distinction, he was an effective advocate for strong bilateral ties with Qatari leaders.

1/7 The news from Ghazni of the deaths of so many innocents, almost all of them children, is heart-breaking. We share the sorrow and grief that the victims’ families bear at this moment. 2/7 The killing and death of Afghans including civilians has become too commonplace.

1/4 Good to see the Afghanistan High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) become operational today with its first Leadership Committee meeting. The gathering of political leaders across the political spectrum is an important step. state.gov/u-s-welcomes-f… 2/4 This Committee will be an authoritative body for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan as it negotiates the terms of a peace agreement, power-sharing, and a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire with the Taliban.

1/3 En route back to the region. Stopping first in #Ankara to discuss #Turkey’s support for #AfghanistanPeaceNegotiations. 2/3 From there, headed to #Doha to see how best we can help the sides build on the success of their recent agreement on rules and procedures and make quick progress on a political roadmap and permanent and comprehensive ceasefire.

1/4 The attack today on Kabul University claimed by ISIS was horrendous. I condemn it and offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. 2/4 The terrorist perpetrators are not just against education but are pro-ignorance. They want to breed chaos and instability, terror and poverty. They oppose and fear peace and seek a permanent state of war.

1/4 I return to the region disappointed that despite commitments to lower violence, it has not happened. The window to achieve a political settlement will not stay open forever. state.gov/special-repres… 2/4 Intransigence and a refusal to abandon animosity, embrace fellow citizens, and agree on a formula for political cooperation/competition underpin the ongoing war.

1/6 Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission has confirmed 12 children were killed and many more injured in an air strike by Afghan government forces. 2/6 This is a terrible tragedy. Unfortunately, tragedy is not limited to Takhar. Civilians are victims of car bombs, IEDs, and targeted killings perpetrated by the Taliban. Civilians have been forced to flee fighting in Lashkar Gah and other areas.

1/9 Unfounded charges of violations and inflammatory rhetoric do not advance peace. Instead, we should pursue strict adherence to all articles of the U.S.-Taliban Agreement and U.S.-Afghanistan Joint Declaration and not neglect the commitment to gradually reduce violence. 2/9 Continued high levels of violence can threaten the peace process and the agreement and the core understanding that there is no military solution. Violence today remains distressingly high in spite of the recent reaffirmation of the need for substantial reduction.

1/4 Following several meetings General Miller and I had with the Taliban, we agreed to re-set actions by strictly adhering to implementation of all elements of the U.S.-Taliban Agreement and all commitments made. 2/4 This means reduced numbers of operations. At present too many Afghans are dying. With the re-set, we expect that number to drop significantly.

1/6 President @ashrafghani is in Doha at Qatar's invitation. General Miller and I had an opportunity to meet with him and discuss the latest on the #AfghanistanPeaceNegotiations. 2/6 General Miller and I affirmed ongoing U.S. support to Afghanistan, our partnership, and a peace process meant to produce a political settlement and an end to decades of war.

1/6 We welcome the Afghan Loya Jirga’s declaration and President Ghani’s decision to sign the decree ordering the release of the remaining prisoners. 2/6 With these bold steps, after 40 years of war, a historic opportunity for peace is now possible; one that benefits all Afghans and contributes to regional stability and global security.

1/4 The last 24 hours have been very violent in Afghanistan with many losing their lives.

In Herat, photos and eyewitness accounts suggest many civilians including children are among the victims of an Afghan airstrike. We condemn the attack and support an investigation. 2/4 Similarly, we deplore the recent Taliban attacks in which many Afghans have lost their lives.

We have reached Day 135, a key milestone in implementation of the U.S.-Taliban Agreement. The U.S. has worked hard to carry out the 1st phase of its commitments under the Agreement, including to reduce forces & depart five bases. NATO troops have come down in proportional numbers There has been major progress, albeit slow, on prisoner releases. The Taliban & the Islamic Republic negotiating teams have made progress on logistics for intra-Afghan talks. No American has lost his/her life in Afghanistan to Taliban violence. Regional relations have improved.

(1/5) #EidMubarak to all who celebrate. We welcome the Taliban’s decision to observe a ceasefire during Eid, as well as the Afghan government announcement reciprocating and announcing its own ceasefire. (2/5) Coronavirus has disrupted Ramadan for the world, with special hardship for #Afghans because of escalating violence.

Met with President @AshrafGhani and Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation @DrabdullahCE together and separately today in Kabul. I congratulated them on their agreement to form an inclusive government after protracted negotiations. We discussed next steps required to implement the agreement between the 2 leaders. On peace, we agreed that violence is much too high and there is a need to move urgently to reduce it by all sides.