In an exclusive interview with 1TV broadcast Thursday, Afghanistan’s First Vice President Amrullah Saleh downplayed US cutting of $1 billion aid.
“With those tweets and interviews, they want to break our spirit so that we make a compromise against the Constitution. It will not happen,” Saleh said.
“If international aid is cut, neither Helmand or Panjshir river becomes dry, nor Hindukush mountain will bend down,” he said.
On the release of Taliban prisoners, Saleh warned that if it strengthens war, “it will not only be stopped, but Taliban would pay the price.”
Saleh also criticized his former ally Abdullah accusing him of doing little during the National Unity Government.
“During his five years of participation in power, what did Dr Abdullah deliver considering management, service delivery, creating a political atmosphere approved by all and a new bureaucratic culture,” Saleh said.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the plan to cut the amount after President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival Abdullah Abdullah failed to end their feud over leadership following a disputed presidential election last year, despite his visit to Kabul.
US Department of State’s top diplomat Alice Wells has posted tweets on the impasse including warning that international aid to Afghanistan requires partnership with an inclusive government.
