US ambassador presses talks with Taliban

{mosads}Asked why the administration would make public internal talks about withdrawing all U.S. troops after 2014, Warlick suggested that’s a reality the Afghan government should contemplate if it’s not ready to give U.S. troops immunity. He is leading negotiations on a post-war troop deal.

“About zero option, what do we do if there isn’t a bilateral security agrmt?” he said on the social media platform. “Afghan forces are growing stronger.”

Warlick also faced a number of pointed questions about women’s rights in Afghanistan. He repeatedly praised Karzai and the progress he said has been made in recent years, refuting allegations of backsliding.

“GDP has risen. Women businesses are up. Forty percent of students in school are women,” he said. “I met with Afghan women in Kabul and heard their concerns. Gains by women won’t be reversed.”

“Not true. More money is going to women in schools, business, and health,” he said in response to a critic who accused the administration of turning a blind eye to women’s rights.

“There is huge progress for women and girls,” he said. “Karzai and his government are committed to rights for women.”

Finally, he said Pakistan should not fret about increased economic investment in the country by India.

“No zero sum here,” he said. “We believe that all countries stand to benefit from a stable and prosperous Afghanistan.”