Norway: Taliban flight by private jet

On Sunday, the Taliban met representatives of civil society in Afghanistan, including several women’s organizations. Jamila Afghani is the president of the Afghan chapter of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. She told NRK that the meeting went well. Discussions revolved around the economic crisis, human rights and women’s rights.

The Taliban also expressed their happiness with the introductory day in Norway.

“During the meeting, the participants sat down and patiently listened to each other’s opinions and exchanged views on the current situation in the country,” the delegation wrote in a press release.

“The representatives at the meeting realized that understanding and cooperation is the only solution to Afghanistan’s problems. All participants declared with one voice that such meetings are of interest to the country.”

The most important political meeting is scheduled for Monday with diplomats from the United States, the United Kingdom and several European Union countries. The Swedish Foreign Ministry said the meeting was not invited.

According to the newspaper VG and media company NRK, the Afghan delegation will not meet with Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt. It was she who invited the Taliban to Norway, but emphasized that the official meeting was not about recognition. “We must speak with those who rule the country today,” the foreign minister said in a press release. The focus will be on the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, where millions of people are threatened with starvation.

in Norway he have Photos of Taliban representatives on their way to Norway on a private plane It sparked criticism from several quarters.

Fabian Stange, a former Conservative politician and mayor of Oslo, told VG he had a strong reaction to the photos.

– When the Norwegian people see that we pick up terrorists, not only in first class, but on private flights, they are cursed, he said.

According to the Foreign Ministry in Oslo, the cost of air travel between Kabul and Norway equivalent to 3.6 million Swedish kronor. Meeting security arrangements cost about the same.

In Oslo protesters In recent days he has protested against the Taliban’s invitation to Norway. Activist Mina Rafiq is skeptical and calls on Norway to send the entire Taliban delegation to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

– We are afraid. This is the first step towards recognition, we don’t want the Taliban to come here, she told NRK.

The Norwegian initiative also receives support from several quarters. Former Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström, chair of the Women’s Forum on Afghanistan, is positive. “The question is not whether to talk to the Taliban but how to talk to the Taliban,” she wrote in a statement.

According to Margot Wallstrom The talks in Oslo are taking place at a critical time in Afghanistan’s history. Besides the humanitarian crisis, the country is going through an economic and social crisis that needs immediate attention.

“Everyone understands the need for commitment, but the meeting should also be an opportunity to remind and pressure the Taliban on women and human rights. Afghans, and especially Afghan women, are following the meeting closely, as are women around the world,” Margot Wallström wrote.

“Women make up more than half the population, and excluding them will result in a failure to save lives and a failure to build a viable nation in the long term.