US want Ghani, Abdullah to resolve differences, work together

WASHINGTON (Pajhwok): Amidst reports of differences between the President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, the United States on Tuesday encouraged the two leaders to work together to pursue common goals.

“We have seen CEO’s public remarks regarding President Ghani and the Government of National Unity,” a State Department official told Pajhwok Afghan News when asked about the reported differences between the two leaders who are now ruing the unity government.

The US remained supportive of a government of national unity and encourage both President Ghani and CEO Abdullah to work together to pursue common goals, the official said.

“We regularly consult with President Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah, and their key advisors, as they work to advance Afghanistan’s democracy, peace, and prosperity,” the State Department official in response to a question.

The US strongly supported the democratically elected government of Afghanistan. While there was work to still be done, there had been concrete progress in Afghanistan since the inauguration of the unity government, said the US official.

Earlier, CEO during a gathering at Sapedar Palace on International Day of Youth criticised Ghani over some issues and said he had no option but to openly express his views.

The CEO said he could not hold a single meeting with the president in three months to talk about the promises made under the unity government deal which was the legitimacy of CEO post, organisation of grand Loya Jirga, amending the constitution, reformation of the election system, distribution of the computerised identify cards and others.

Abdullah expressed his displeasure over the non-implem6entation of the unity government deal in the given two years, saying he was the first person who accepted Ghani as president, adding discussion and debate was usual practice in governance but if a person had no patience to discuss issues he had not right to be the president.

But an individual at Presidential Palace, who wished to go uamed, told Pajhwok Afghan News, Abdullah criticising Idea regarding president Ghani came at a time when grand meeting of the JI was scheduled in the coming days, saying the CEO was a part of the party and key member of JI were not happy with Abdullah.

He said the CEO Idea were more about point scoring a head of the JI meeting in which party affairs and future plans would be discussed.

According to the source the CEO was present in key meeting of the government including the meetings of economic council, National Security Council, procurement commission and other meetings held at Presidential Palace.

He said the CEO had more understanding on various issues compared to anyone else in the government and his Idea were merely to impress the JI members.

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