In Tashkent, at the International Conference “Afghanistan: Security and Economic Development” a delegation of the United States and representatives of the Taliban movement met. The parties discussed the ways of defrosting of the gold and foreign exchange reserves of Afghanistan. This was reported by Anadolu agency with reference to sources.
Special representatives of the USA Thomas West and Rina Amiri discussed with representatives of the Taliban movement the possibility of defrosting part of the gold and foreign exchange reserves of Afghanistan. The country is in dire need of these means. Without them, the Taliban will not be able to solve financial and social problems that have accumulated recently.
The negotiations were focused on the initial release of $ 3.5 billion, which US President Joe Biden ordered to allocate “for the good of the Afghan people” of $ 7 billion in Afghan reserves stored in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
The USA wants to create a target fund, from which Afghan officials will be able to use only social and economic. Washington fears that the returned reserves can be used to sponsor terrorism. The Taliban does not reject the concept of the target fund, they oppose the US proposal to control the third party over the fund, which will store and distribute the returned reserves, said a source in the Taliban government, who wished to remain unnamed.
According to sources, significant disagreements are preserved between the parties, including the refusal of the Taliban movement to replace the highest political appointments of the bank, one of whom is under the sanctions of the United States, like several leaders of movement.
After the Taliban came to power in August 2021, Washington froze Afghanistan reserves for $ 7 billion, and the international community stopped billionth direct assistance. The currency collapsed, a serious crisis began in the country. The recent earthquake further aggravated the situation in the country.