Blinken, US Secretary of State, "Afghan President Said He Would Fight to the Death but Fled"... Denies Responsibility Claims

"Focus Should Be on Evacuation Operation Now"
Emphasizes Great Responsibility of Fleeing Afghan President

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken strongly rejected the notion of American responsibility for the Afghanistan crisis, emphasizing that the main cause was Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's irresponsible escape, which led to the collapse of the Afghan military. This statement is interpreted as a response to the growing political crisis, including a sharp drop in approval ratings, amid increasing calls for accountability of the Joe Biden administration in the U.S.

On the 22nd (local time), Secretary Blinken said in an interview with CBS News, "A week ago, the day before Kabul fell, I spoke with President Ghani, and at that time he said he would fight to the death," adding, "But the next day he fled, and the Afghan army collapsed instantly," showing a look of dismay. This is seen as a direct rebuttal to bipartisan criticism within U.S. politics holding the Biden administration responsible for the Afghanistan situation.

Secretary Blinken stated, "We are practically in contact to avoid clashes during the evacuation of Taliban and American citizens in Kabul," and clarified, "This does not mean granting legitimacy to the Taliban regime." He continued, "There is a time and place for everything," emphasizing, "Now is the time to focus on the evacuation operation," highlighting that the safe return of American citizens is more important than debates over responsibility.

Earlier, President Ghani fled by helicopter just before the fall of Kabul on the 15th, contrary to his announcement that he would fight to the end, and it is reported that he took approximately $169 million (about 200 billion won) with him during his escape.

In addition to Secretary Blinken, key figures in the Biden administration have also made statements blaming President Ghani for the Afghanistan crisis. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman strongly criticized Ghani, who fled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), during a press conference on the 18th, saying, "He is no longer a figure of Afghanistan." State Department spokesperson Ned Price also avoided answering when asked on the 16th, the day after Kabul fell, whether the U.S. recognizes Ghani as Afghanistan's president, stating, "This is a matter to be coordinated with the international community."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.