Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Ambassador Marc Grossman has started his visit to countries of Central Asia as Office of the Spokesman of the U.S. State Department reports.
Mr. Grossman will meet with top-ranking officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan during his visit. "The Special Representative will reaffirm Secretary Clinton's message in her February 18 speech to the Asia Society during each visit", reads the message, news agency "24.kg" reported.
Reportedly, Secretary Clinton highlighted the role of Central Asian countries and Pakistan in the reconciliation process with Taliban in Afghanistan. "Taliban militants will have to decide that they are better off working within the Afghan political system rather than fighting a losing struggle alongside al-Qaida in bombed-out caves," said Mrs. Clinton.
According to the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, all countries neighboring with Afghanistan, including India, Iran, Russia, China and Central Asian countries, "stand to benefit from a responsible political settlement in Afghanistan and also an end to al-Qaida's safe havens in the border areas and the exporting of extremism into their countries." Hillary Clinton said: "that would reduce the terrorist and narcotics threat to their own citizens, create new opportunities for commerce, and ease the free flow of energy and resources throughout the region. It could also help move other regional conflicts toward peaceful resolution."
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