RASC News Agency: Thomas West, the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan, recently disclosed his high-level meetings and dialogues in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with dignitaries including Walid Al-Khuraiji, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Turki bin Faisal Al Saud, the former Saudi Ambassador to the United States, and the leadership of the Salman Shazad Foundation. Mr. West expressed gratitude for the gracious hospitality extended to him.
In a social media update on Thursday, December 14th, Mr. West expounded that these discussions encompassed matters of mutual security coordination, human rights, and humanitarian interests in Afghanistan. Importantly, these dialogues occurred within the context of Mr. West’s broader global conversations about Afghanistan. Earlier, he engaged with Tariq Ali Bakheet, the Special Representative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for Afghanistan, addressing topics ranging from humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan to the plight of migrants and the status of Afghanistani women.
Concurrently, Saudi Arabia, akin to numerous other nations, has yet to officially acknowledge the Taliban group, though reports suggest relatively close and positive relations with the group. Reports indicate that Mr. West is disseminating updates on these meetings and discussions concerning Afghanistan at a juncture when international bodies have consistently voiced concerns about the human rights situation, as well as the economic and social conditions prevailing in Afghanistan under Taliban control.
In the aftermath of the Taliban’s assumption of power, the group instituted stringent policies affecting the Afghanistani populace, provoking widespread reactions. Based on available information, no country has extended official recognition to the Taliban, citing apprehensions stemming from these policies.
