Pentagon leaders formally asked Congress in writing earlier this year for a $30 million fund to support peace talks with Afghanistan’s Taliban, even though, the Defense Department officials wrote, it was “likely” some of the money would materially support terrorists.
The legislative proposal, obtained by CQ Roll Call, suggests that the fiscal 2020 money to cover logistics involved in the negotiations may directly or indirectly provide financial support to violent groups in Afghanistan that have been fighting Americans and their own countrymen, including in targeted attacks on civilians, for nearly 18 years.
A Pentagon spokeswoman, Cdr. Rebecca Rebarich, confirmed the authenticity of the document and acknowledged for the first time that taxpayer money may soon be spent to support insurgents’ participation in peace talks.
View the complete May 17 article by John M. Donnelly on The Roll Call website here.