Blinken: If the Taliban Aren’t Sustaining the Basic Rights of Afghan People, We Wouldn’t Legitimize Their Government

EXCERPT:

BLINKEN: "A future Afghan government that upholds the basic rights of its people and that doesn't harbor terrorists is a government we can work with and recognize. Conversely, a government that doesn't do that, that doesn't uphold the basic rights of its people, including women and girls, that harbors terrorist groups that have designs on the United States, our allies and partners, certainly, that's not going to happen. And, beyond that, to the extent that the Taliban has a self-interest, if it's leading the government in Afghanistan, assistance from the international community, support from the international community, none of that will be forthcoming. Sanctions won't be lifted. Their ability to travel won't happen if they're not sustaining the basic rights of the Afghan people and if they revert to supporting or harboring terrorists who might strike us."