Taliban did not threaten Kazakhstan

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan never threatened Kazakhstan, Dr. Tariq, a spokesman for IEA, told "KazTag" by phone June 3, referring to the Taliban’s earlier warning that majority Muslim Kazakhstan’s decision to send troops to the NATO-led war in Afghanistan would have severe consequences and was not in its regional interest. “It was not a threat. It was the way the IEA responded to the Kazakh parliament’s decision to send troops to Afghanistan. It was not a warning that something is going to happen (…)”, he elaborated. “The IEA did not wage war (…) We want good relationship with our neighbors. We do not intend to threaten any of the neighboring states. The alleged belief that our people are planning to attack Kazakhstan is wrong”. “Our respond was to tell Kazakhstan should not be involved in war actions. Kazakhstan is a Muslim nation, so is Afghanistan. Kazakhstan’s Parliament failed to specify at the outset that they are sending doctors and military doctors, rather than troops. That is exactly why the IEA responded this way. In no way was it a threat”, he explained. May 18 2011 Kazakhstan’s Majilis (lower chamber) approved of ratification of an agreement with NATO about Astana’s involvement in the international coalition forces in Afghanistan. “The Agreement between Kazakhstan and NATO envisages sending 4 Kazakhstan’s officers to serve with the International Security Assistance Force headquarters in Kabul. They will be rotated every 6 months”, Mr. Abdrakhmanov elaborated. Thus, the agreement implies “not sending Kazakhstan’s military troops [to Afghanistan], but rather contribution to the efforts of the Government - UN-recognized and voted for by the Afghan people – to ensure safety and reconstruct peaceful life in this country”. Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Askar Abdrakhmanov reminded that the International coalition in Afghanistan comprises 47 nations, 19 of which are NOT members of NATO and 6 are members of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC).