US focuses on Afghan evacuations, says Harris amid criticism

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06:53

US Vice President Kamala Harris said on Monday that the United States was focusing on evacuation efforts in Afghanistan and that it would have ample time to analyze the troop withdrawal.

Harris made the remark during his visit to Singapore. She met Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and President Halimah Yacob during a trip to Southeast Asia, including Vietnam.

“There is going to be a lot of time to analyze what happened and what happened in the context of the withdrawal from Afghanistan,” Harris said at a joint press conference with the Prime Minister of Singapore .

“But for now, we are particularly focused on evacuating American citizens, Afghans who have worked with us, and vulnerable Afghans, including women and children, and that is our singular focus at this time,” Harris said.

“We hope that Afghanistan does not become an epicenter of terrorism again,” Lee said, adding that Singapore had offered transport planes to help with evacuations.

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U.S. soldiers stand guard as Afghans wait at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 16, 2021. / CFP

U.S. soldiers stand guard as Afghans wait at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 16, 2021. / CFP

The United States and Singapore on Monday reached security agreements that reaffirm the American presence in the region through “rotational deployments of American P-8 planes and littoral combat ships to Singapore,” according to a file. information from the meeting shared by the White House.

The two countries also agreed to expand cooperation on cybersecurity in the financial sector, the military and improve information exchange on cyberthreats, according to details shared by the White House.

Critique of the American withdrawal

US President Joe Biden has been criticized at home and abroad for his handling of the withdrawal of US forces and the chaotic evacuation after the Taliban takeover.

Conflicts between Taliban fighters and Western-backed government forces escalated after U.S.-led foreign troops began the final stage of their withdrawal from Afghanistan in May. When the Taliban took control of Kabul on August 15, the United States and some other countries stepped up efforts to evacuate diplomats and other nationals as well as Afghans who wish to leave the country.

The Biden administration has indicated it may stay in Kabul beyond its self-imposed August 31 deadline to complete its evacuation efforts. But the Taliban said on Monday that August 31 was a “red line” to withdraw US troops.

“It’s something you can tell it’s a red line,” Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen told Sky News. “President Biden announced this agreement that until August 31 they would withdraw all their military forces. So if they extend, that means they are extending the occupation.”

Shaheen warned that an extension of the withdrawal deadline would create mistrust between the Taliban and Washington.

“If they intend to continue the occupation, it will provoke a reaction,” he said.

00:40

China has repeatedly called for a responsible and orderly withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Monday that the United States was the “major cause” and “the biggest external factor” in the Afghan issue.

“He can’t just go away,” Wang said during a regular press briefing. “The United States has repeatedly pledged that it will help Afghanistan maintain stability, prevent chaos, and contribute to its peace and reconstruction.

“We hope that the United States matches its words with its actions, taking its responsibilities on the Afghan issue and honoring its commitments regarding the development, reconstruction and humanitarian aid of Afghanistan,” added Mr. Wang.

Commenting on the visit of the US Vice President to Singapore and Vietnam, he stressed that exchanges between countries should be conducive to building mutual trust and maintaining regional and global peace and stability.

(With contribution from Reuters)

(Cover: US Vice President Kamala Harris (left) next to Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Singapore, August 23, 2021. / CFP)

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