Todays hybrid hearing. Some members will appear in person and others will appear remotely via webx. Since some are appearing in person let me first remind everyone that pursuant to the latest guidance from the house attending Physicians Office all individuals attending this hearing in person must wear a facemask. Members who choose not to wear a facemask will not be recognized. Let me also make a few reminders for those members appearing in person. You will only see members and witnesses appearing remotely on the monitor in front of you when they are speaking in what is known in webx as active speaker mode. A timer is visible in the room directly in front of you. For members appear regular motely, i know you are all familiar with webx by now but let me remind everyone of a few points. First, youll be able to see each other speaking during the hearing, whether they are in person or remote, as long as you have your webx set to active speaker view. If you have any questions about the about this, please contact the Committee Staff immediately. Second, we have a timer that should be visible on your screen when youre in the active speaker with the thumbnail view. Third, the house rules require that we see you, so please have your camera turned on at all times. Fourth, members appearing remotely who are not recognized should remain muted to minimize background noise and feedback. Fifth, i will recognize members verbally but members retain the right to seek recognition verbally in regular order members will be recognized in seniority order for questions. Lastly if you want to be recognized outside of regular order, something comes up, you may identify that several ways. You may use the chat function on your screen. You may send an email to the majority staff. Or you may unmute your mic to seek recognition. You can also wave frantically and hope that we see that we notice you. Obviously we dont want people talking over each other so my preference is that members use the chat function or email. To facilitate formal recognition. Committee staff will ensure that i am made aware of your request and i will recognize you. Finally, id like to remind members who attend this mornings classified briefing that we just had with ambassador ellys aide, that at no time should details of that meet being discussed publicly. We will begin the hearing in just a moment when they tell me they are ready to begin the ivestream. The committee will now come to order. The chair is able to call a recess at any time. I recognize myself for an Opening Statement. Good morning, everyone. Before we begin i would like to take a moment to honor the memory of the late Justice Ruth Bader ginsburg. She was a force for good on the court and worked for truth and the balance of pow for the our representative democracy. Ay she rest in peace. 11 days ago our country marked the 19th anniversary of the september 11 terrorist attacks. Like pearl harbor 60 years earlier, september 11 will be etched in American History as a date we will never forget. Nd we will always remember the 2,977 souls we lost on that horrific day. After the 9 11 attack, the United States went to war against al qaeda and the taliban hosts in afghanistan. Since then the conflict has taken the lives of 2,448 American Service members and injured tens of thousands more. In a significant milestone earlier this year, the United States and the taliban on february 29 signed an agreement for bringing peace to afghanistan. Which outlined a way forward for the complex and complete withdrawal of u. S. Forces by mid 2021. In exchange, the taliban promised to come to the negotiating table with the kabul government and to prevent terrorist groups such as al qaeda from using afghanistan to stage attacks against the United States and our alyles. Despite multiple indications that the taliban had not fully met their commitments under the february agreement, the Trump Administration has steadily withdrawn u. S. Forces from afghanistan. Which has ceded much of our leverage to help shape the future of afghanistan for its people and our National Security interests. In fact, in an interview airing over the weekend, former Trump Administration and National Security advisor h. R. Macmaster described the withdrawal of u. S. Forces from afghanistan as, quote, an unwise policy. Instead he argued that what we require in afghanistan is a sustained commitment to help the Afghan Government and help the Afghan Security forces continue to bear the brunt of this fight. Since u. S. Forces began to withdraw from afghanistan following the february agreement, security conditions on the ground have deteriorated. In june the department of defense estimated that the taliban sustained levels of violence five times higher than those observed during a february, 2020, reduction in violence period. And u. S. Centcom commander general Kenneth Mckenzie later described the escalation as not consistent with someone negotiating in good faith. Nevertheless, after months of violence, delay and a contentious prisoner exchange, the government of afghanistan and the taliban finally met in doha earlier this month to begin intraafghan negotiations. Many afghans remain deeply distrustful of the talibans true intention. In particular, many afghans, especially women and girl, are justifiably concerned that the human rights and democratic gains theyve achieved with u. S. Support since 2001 could become jeopardized if the taliban return to power through force or through a negotiated settlement. Given the legacy of past failures, we must remain cleareyed about the stakes of this moment. If the taliban are unwilling or unable to abide by their commitments, or if political negotiations collapse, the resulting crisis would likely have a grave consequence for those Afghan People, regional stability and interNational Security. So im grateful to our witnesses special representative ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, thank you, and Principal Deputy assistant secretary of defense for indo pacific affairs, thank you, mr. Secretary, for being here today to answer our questions about the risks and the Trump Administrations ongoing efforts to bring the u. S. War in afghanistan to a close. While we are all eager for our sons and daughters in uniform to return home, it is also important that we do not needlessly or recklessly bargain away the rights and freedoms that the Afghan People have gained at such a huge cost in American Coalition and afghan lives. With that i now yield to our Ranking Member, prosecute mr. Grothman, for his Opening Statement representative grothman, for his Opening Statement. Mr. Grothman thank you. An important topic. Im glad youre having this hearing. Im pleased to have these witnesses here today, through the hard work of the Trump Administration there may well be a prospect for peace in afghanistan at last. Theyve had other successes in the middle east. Recently bahrain and United Arab Emirates entered treaties of peace, diplomatic relations and full normalization between those countries and the state of israel. Something i never would have dreamed about a few years ago. Those agreements will have an immediate positive and Lasting Impact on the prospects for peace in the region. The Trump Administrations prioritized peace in afghanistan is a strategy and the goal is to ensure that the country does not become a haven for terrorist activity in the future. The u. S. And the taliban entered into a joint declaration this february with stipulations that the taliban would cease attacking Coalition Forces in exchange for u. S. Troop drawdown. The declaration also came with a condition that the taliban and the Afghan Government enter into peace negotiations with a discussion of ceasefire firmly on the table. Although these peace negotiations were laid for months delayed for months, they commenced on september 12 of this year and im hopeful the negotiations negotiators reached an agreement that leads to stable and longlasting peace in afghanistan. One that protects the rights of all citizens in the country, including women. The obstacles we face are complex. We cannot afford to be deterred. I am interested to hear from the ambassador how we get this right, despite the challenges that lie ahead. More than 2400 brave men and women have lost their lives in afghanistan fighting on behalf of the United States, either during Operation Enduring freedom, or operation freedom sentinel. The u. S. Has been invested in afghanistan for 19 years, with the u. S. Taxpayer cost for war fighting and reconstruction reaching 1 trillion for 2001. That 1 trillion sounded a lot bigger a year ago than it does now. The cost, both monetary and in lives, cannot continue. I applaud this administration for seeking to bring an end to this conflict. We have to get this right. It isnt just the Afghan People who will benefit. The veterans who fought in the and the American People deserve to have a peaceful afghanistan that does not permit terrorists to operate in that country, to perpetuate attack against the United States. Im going to emphasize again what a great job i think youve done. Foreign affairs are a difficult thing. I. A. P. Not being partisan here. But i cant help but wonder if President Trump was president in 2001, whether we would have gone i would argue overboard, like president bush did. I dont think we would have. Again, i think if President Trump had been elected and took office in 2009 we wouldnt have the herkyjerk pulling out of iraq. Which i think was also disastrous. So i think hes kind of hitting that sweet spot from between where president bush was and president obama did and i really appreciate you guys being part of this team. Pleased to welcome you here today. Your leadership is having a positive effect on afghanistan. I want to thank the Trump Administration for their efforts to bring about a peaceful solution and look forward to your testimony today. Thank you. Mr. Lynch one housekeeping matter here. Without objection, the gentleman from new jersey, mr. Malinowski, shall be committed to join the subcommittee and be recognized for questioning the witnesses. As procedure allows. Now id like to introduce our witnesses. Our first witness today is ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad who is the special representative for afghan reconciliation at the department of state. And we will hear from david f. Helvey, who is performing the duties of assistant secretary of defense for Indo Pacific Security Affairs at the department of defense. In accordance with the committee rules, would you both please rise and raise your right hand. Do you swear or affirm that the testimony youre about to give is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you god. Let the record reflect that the witnesses have both answered in the affirmative. Please be seated. Without objection, your written statements will be made part of the record. With that, ambassador khalilzad, you are now recognized for your testimony. Ambassador khalilzad thank you very much. Thank you very much, mr. Chairman. I would like to join you in offering condolences to the ginsburg family. May her soul rest in peace. Good morning. Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member grothman, and distinguished members of the committee, i regret the circumstances that allow me to did not allow me to appear before this committee sooner, during the last several months, i regard making myself available to congress as one of my most significant and important responsibilities. And i welcome this opportunity today and im honored to brief you. I was appointed the u. S. Special representative for afghanistan reconciliation in september, 2018. With a mandate to find a diplomatic formula that brings an end to americas longest war, reduces the burden on the u. S. Military and taxpayers, provides the best chance for a sovereign, unified and representative afghanistan at peace with itself and its neighbors, and respectful of the human rights of all its citizens and, most importantly, ensures terrorists can never again use afghan soil to threaten the security of the United States and our allies. Underlying this mandate was an assumption that there was no realistic or viable military solution to this complex conflict. To pursue these objectives we engaged in direct talks with the taliban and the Afghan Government in parallel. Our goal was to secure counterterrorism guarantees from the taliban, alongside their commitment to engage in direct negotiations with Islamic Republic of afghanistan on a political settlement and permanent and comprehensive ceasefire. 18 months of intense diplomacy led to two significant mile stones. On february 29, the United States and the government of afghanistan jointly declared their commitment to reach a comprehensive and sustainable Peace Agreement to end the war in afghanistan, including guarantees to prevent the use of afghan soil by any International Terrorist groups or individuals against the security of the United States and its allies. A condition based a conditionbased timeline for withdrawal of the u. S. And Coalition Forces from afghanistan. A political settlement resulting from interafghan dialogue and negotiations between the taliban and inclusive negotiating team of the Islamic Republic of afghanistan and a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire. That same day, the United States signed an historic agreement with the taliban that would make negotiations possible. That agreement has four elements. The first is a commitment by the taliban to prevent any group or individual from using afghan soil to threaten the security of the United States and its allies. On that we have seen some progress. Its also important to stress that since the signing of the agreement, the taliban have instrucked their forces to instrucked their forces to refrain from attacks on u. S. And Coalition Forces there. Have been no american deaths as a result of taliban attacks since the agreement was signed. And we continue to engage with the taliban to oversee the implementation of our agreement with respect to these issues and to address issues of concern. The second is a timetable for withdrawal of american and Coalition Forces. That withdrawal is continuebased. We are on the path to reduce troop levels to between 4,000 and 5,000 by this fall. And further withdrawals will be determined based on conditions on the ground and delivery by the taliban on their commitments. The third is the start of afghan peace negotiations. As you know, the talks opened on september 12, a truly historic moment. The afghan delegation from the parties to the conflict that are sitting across from each other without international mediaters or facilitators have the opportunity to bring an end to more than 40 years of war in their country. E talks are afghanled and afghanowned process where two wars sides are negotiating a road map for the future of their country. The afghans are yearning for peace and there is overwhelming support among them for these talks and for a political settlement. Finally, the taliban agreed that the permanent and comprehensive ceasefire would be on the agenda in afghan peace negotiations. By any measure the current level of violence are too high. We know that the actions are possible. The taliban carried out two cease fires and earlier, a sevenday reduction in violence preceding the february 29 signing of the agreement between the United States and the taliban. We hope that the current negotiation will lead to a significant reduction in violence by all sides. Reducing the number of afghans getting killed or wounded. A reduction of violence will help build the trust necessary for these talks to succeed. We for our part will continue to press for this objective. A political settlement in afghanistan needs broad internal, regional and International Support. We have worked closely with afghanistans neighbors and International Partners to build support for afghanistans peace negotiations. You can see the impact of that ffort in the list of countries and organizations that were represented at the Opening Ceremony of the afghan peace negotiations on september 12 and in the u. N. Security Council Statement welcoming the start of these negotiations. These achievements are the result of two years of intense diplomacy and have already resulted in american lives saved , the burden on the american taxpayers lessened, and giving the afghans historic opportunity for a political settlement that ends their long war. Now, with an afghanled, afghanowned process, and delegations that represent the countrys strength and diversity, including the Afghan Government, political leaders, members of civil society, women and religious and ethnic minorities, the people of afghan affling have reason to hope again afghanistan have reason to hope again. I have urged the afghan leaders to take advantage of the opportunity for a political settlement now available to them. Unfortunately afghan leaders did not behave responsibly or judiciously after the soviet forces departed their country as a result of a Resistance Movement that had been backed by the United States. Instead of cooperating and agreeing on a political formula for their country, they started a vicious civil war. We will help afghanistan seize this historic moment and avoid repeating what happened in the 1990s. But ultimately the responsibility is theirs. Our strategy going forward, mr. Chairman, is, one, continuing holding the taliban to the commitments they made in the february 29 agreement, including on combating International Terrorism and discussing a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire at the peace negotiations. Two, a posture consistent with the agreement and conditions in afghanistan. We are on a path to reduce our troops, as i said before, to between 4,000 and 5,000. And with further reductions possible, but based on conditions. I want to assure this committee that we will always maintain the ability to protect the United States. But staying in afghanistan militarily is not an end in itself. Our goal for afghanistan is a nation at peace with itself and with its neighbors and firmly aligned with the United States and our allies against International Terrorism. Three, support the parties effort to reach a negotiated political settlement while speaking out about their values. The inclusion of women and religious and ethnic minorities in the negotiation is a landmark step in the right direction. The United States will continue to advocate our values, including electoral democracy, rights of women and religious minorities, rule of law, free speech and free press. At the same time we recognize that only afghans can find a sustainable formula thats unique to their history and culture. While we do not seek to impose our system on others, we have made it clear to the negotiators that their choices and conduct will affect the size and scope of future u. S. Assistance and this is the position shared by afghanistans other major donors. Continue to four, continue to work with regional partners and donors to build International Support for afghanistan peace. Negotiations and support of our afghanistans longterm stability and selfreliance. While we have reasons to be hopeful, were under no illusions about the challenges ahead. The conflict in afghanistan is especially complex. And negotiators will have to overcome personal interests and political differences while representing diverse constituencies. We expect that there will be setbacks and obstacles. This task that we have carried out so far has been has required a diverse and dynamic team made up of state Department Foreign service officers, Civil Servants and detailees from across the u. S. Government. We have also partnered closely and effectively with the department of defense, especially general scott miller, the commanding general of u. S. And nato forces in afghanistan. The whole of government effort reflects the best, in my judgment, of american diplomacy. As the chairman, Ranking Member and distinguished members, im grateful for the opportunity to share this summary of the effort that we have made, challenges and progress of the past two years, and i look forward to your guidance, feedback and support as we seek to consolidate this moment of promise to end this war responsibly. Thank you, sir. Mr. Lynch thank you, ambassador. Secretary helvey. Youre now recognized for five minutes. Secretary helvey good morning. Thank you. I also want to recognize chairwoman maloney who has joined. Id like to thank you again for the opportunity to brief you today on our strategy for afghanistan. In the wake of the 19th anniversary of the attacks on september 11, 2001, theres perhaps no more fitting time to discuss with congress and with the American People the importance of our mission in afghanistan in keeping america safe against terrorist attacks. Its my privilege to focus my remarks today on the department of defenses strategy in afghanistan, the crit calt of our partners cr timbings icality of our partners criticality of our partners in upholding these agreements. Pursuant to the 2017 south asia strategy, the department of defenses key objective in south asia is to ensure that afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists who may threaten the United States or our alyles. The strategy prioritizes ending the war through a political process, acknowledging that there is no military solution to the conflict. To achieve this objective, the department conducts two complimentary missions. One, the natoled Resolute Support mission which is focused on training, advising and assisting the Afghan National defense and Security Forces or andsf, and the second is the u. S. Counterterrorism mission that works with our afghan partners to mitigate terrorist threats. We county afle actively combat isis, al qaeda and other terrorist groups in afghanistan. Although these terrorists are severely degraded, continued pressure on them remains vital to ensuring that our homeland is never again attacked as it was on september 11, 2001. On february 29, 2020, an historic agreement was signed between the United States and taliban. And the release of a parallel u. S. Afghanistan joint declaration served as a Pivotal Moment in the path toward peace in afghanistan. Since then, u. S. Forces have adjusted to adhere to u. S. Commitments within the agreement. Weve reduced our force level to 8600 and turned five bases over to our afghan partners. The commander of u. S. Forces afghanistans authorities, however, have not changed. U. S. Forces continue to defend the andsf against attacks by the taliban and we are not conducting offensive attacks against the taliban. Weve long maintained that our force presence in afghanistan is conditionsbased. This august the president made a determination that the conditions in afghanistan were sufficient to reduce our force presence to between 4,000 and 5,000 by the end of november, twebt. At this force level, we 2020. At this force level we maintain the core aspects of the train, advise and assist and our counterterrorism mission. First and foremost, however, were maintaining the ability to protect the force in afghanistan. Id like to make clear that the secretary has not issued orders to reduce military personnel below this 4,000 to 5,000 level in afghanistan. Although we are conducting prudent planning to withdraw to zero Service Members by may, 2021, if conditions warrant, per the u. S. Taliban agreement. As secretary pompeo said in doha, the taliban must uphold their counterterrorism guarantees to the United States. We also expect the taliban to meaningfully participate in afghan peace negotiations and to do their part in preventing outside actors from nellingtively negatively impacting the peace process. Over the last seven months, our andsf partners have continued to demonstrate resilience in the face of high levels of violence. Resolve in their fight against International Terrorist organizations and a commitment to a better, more secure and prosperous afghanistan. But for progress toward peace to continue, the taliban must reduce violence against the Afghan Security forces and afghan civilians. Taliban violence, quite frankly, has been unacceptably high for too long. We urge the taliban, the Afghan Government and the Afghan People to choose a path toward peace. Peace agreements are not signed between friends. Theyre negotiated between parties that must reconcile a shared desire for peace against years of bloodshed and grievance. Were encouraged that the afghan peace negotiations are under way and are supportive of the afghanled and afghanowned process. Lastly, the department of defense remains committed to transparency to the American People regarding our efforts in afghanistan. The department understands that certain efforts on the way to peace like the recent prisoner releases will cause painful emotions to resurface for the families who lost loved ones on september 11, 2001, and in afghanistan over the subsequent years. Their sacrifices are not lost on us. It is because of these sacrifices that weve advanced progress toward making america safer and ensuring that afghanistan is never again used as a safe haven for terrorists. These decisions, though difficult, remain focused on achieving the same noble end state for which so many have fought. Were grateful and we continue to honor their sacrifice. Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member, members of the committee, thank you again for the opportunity to testify today and im happy to take any questions that you may have. Mr. Lynch thank you very much. I will now yield myself five minutes for questions. First of all, ambassador, i want you to know that i fully appreciate the difficulty of your task. As someone i was elected on september 11. The day of the attacks. In the democratic primary in massachusetts. I immediately came to this committee. Been a member for 19 years now. And have had many, many, many trips to afghanistan and i understand the complexity that you face and the difficult tax that you face. So task that you face. So let nothing that i ask or say here from this chair diminish the difficulty that you face. And we appreciate your service to our country and your efforts on our behalf. We do. We appreciate that. We had a chance to meet with the afghan team at the Munich Security Conference. We also met with the u. S. Negotiating team as well. At the negotiations at the Munich Security Conference some months ago. And we learned that the u. S. Negotiations did not include, as a priority, the status of women nd girls in afghanistan. And i got a letter yesterday from i think its 19 members of the afghan parliament, im going to ask unanimous consent to enter it into the record. This letter from the Islamic Republic of afghanistan, lower house of the parliament, National Interest preservation group. To this committee. Without objection, so ordered. It says its rather pointed and in its message. And one of the most important excerpts of this twopage letter, ill read as follows. T calls upon the United States to rise to the occasion, and im quoting now, rise to the occasion by standing up for the great cause of womens rights, which is indisputably human rights. And let this deal, this agreement, be known as one that preserve the rights of every afghan man and woman. Not a deal that prevents little girls from going to school. Not a deal that leads to the destruction of our institutions. And not a deal that back tracks on the great achievements of freedom and democracy. Those achievements purchased at a high price among u. S. Service members, as well as coalition and Afghan Forces as well. How is it that and i understand you dont set the parameters for negotiations. You conduct them. So this was not your decision. But how do we demonstrate to the taliban that the status of women in girls is a major priority restoring that countrys stability, advocating for human rights in that country, when we dont list it as a priority in our negotiations, but instead fightit to the afghans to that fight . Isnt that thats an american ideal, its a democratic ideal. Please explain how omitting that as a priority for us, for our country, helped the Afghan Government achieve a lasting peace. Ambassador khalilzad thank you, hairman, for that question and sentiment. And belief behind it. Want to assure you that human rights, womens rights, the rights of minorities and children, indeed all citizens of afghanistan, particularly women, is of the highest importance to e United States and i have a track record personally in helping the afghan women when the postgovernment was drafting the post9 11 government was drafting the constitution that we stood with them. And through this hearing i want to assure the afghan women that e will be with them. Ive met i just arrived from doha and i met with the women members of the delegation twice the united ng for states. And ive left a team behind, while im gone, to make sure hat in the negotiations, the womens future [indiscernible] achievement im very proud of and we should all be proud of mr. Lynch am ambassador, i have to sber ject, though. We were told by interject, though. We were told by the Afghanistan Team and the u. S. Team that the status of women and girls in afghanistan was not a lead priority for us. That it was going to be the part of the Afghan Government to negotiate that. Am i wrong in that . Because ive been told that by both sides in the negotiations. Ambassador khalilzad of course the negotiations that resulted in the agreement that was signed dealt with four issues that i described. One of which is intraafghan norksnerkses. As i mentioned in my statement, to negotiations. As i mentioned in my statement, to us these negotiations are not completed. The four elements are a package agreement. The terrorism, withdrawal, intraafghan negotiations, including mr. Lynch but none of those four specifically raised, none of those four parts, the part that youre referring to was the part that you were going to hand off to the afghans to negotiate. That was part of the one of the four, that was one of the four elements. Ambassador khalilzad sure. But mr. Lynch you can see it could contain anything, right . The part that you give to the Afghan Government could contain anything. The issues that we supported, obviously National Security interests of the United States, and i understand that, thats very important, very important priority, but i also think the status of after all weve been through, the most important accomplishment i think in 50 years looking back, we taught a quarter of a million afghan women how to read and right. Write. Thats probably going to be the biggest impact in that country in the next 50 years. It will be the one accomplishment that we can look at that made a difference. And yet the rights of women and girls was not included as a priority for us going into the negotiations and the taliban knew that. I just think that it undermined their efforts and our efforts by neglecting that priority. Ambassador khalilzad i respectfully, very respectfully disagree. This is an unfinished package. We are in the middle of it. Some things have been settled. Two issues have not been settled yet. And even with regard to issues that we have reached an agreement on, implementation, were watching closely. , we will be involved although its afghanowned and afghanled negotiations, we will be involved and we will monitor and we will express ourselves forcefully. And i want to assure you that womens rights issues, the achievement that we should be very proud of, and im glad youve listed what we have very ed, we will be supportive and depending on decisions that they make, that will affect future u. S. Policy toward afghanistan. Mr. Lynch i appreciate that. I have far exceeded my time limit. I want to thank you. I just think it should have been established at the outset. Not in the middle of negotiations. Introducing that as an issue. I want to yield to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from wisconsin, mr. Grothman, and i will afford him the extra time that he needs. Mr. Grothman thats ok. Thank you. Thats very kind of you. Im not sure you have a very, very difficult job. And i want to begin by kind of letting you describe what a difficult job it is. How many different ethnic groups are there in afghanistan or do you have a general idea . Ambassador khalilzad over a dozen. Mr. Grothman ok. How many different major languages . Ambassador khalilzad [indiscernible] three or four major languages. Mr. Grothman youre dealing with people with different languages. Has there traditionally been a lot of religious freedom in afghanistan . Ambassador khalilzad there have been tension between religious parties. But afghanistan generally has been historically a more moderate kind of relations among sects within islam and in terms relations with nonmuslim minorities as well. Mr. Grothman as i understand it, there are many, many different ethnic groups and the taliban and so in so far as they fight, its not even a regular army, is it . Its a variety of different people who come and they go. Ambassador khalilzad yeah. There are tribes, besides ethnic groups. And there are political parties. There are the old elite of afghanistan, representing tribes and ethnic leaderships. And also theres the new elite now. Which is as a result of what the chairman mentioned, americas encounter with afghanistan. And theyre all now around the table to negotiate a road map where they can have their differences, their different priorities and backgrounds, but they can live in peaceful environment in afghanistan and search and agree to a formula. Groth grog ok mr. Grothman ok. How Many American soldiers passed away last year in afghanistan . Secretary helvey thank you for that question. Data i have is 17 military personnel passed away under hostile actions in mr. Grothman what is it three or four years . Secretary helvey in 2019 the numbers were slightly elevated as violence had increased as the taliban was posturing. But in recent years, the numbers were in 2018, 13 Service Personnel were killed. 2017 there was 11. In 2016 there were nine. But since the february 29 agreement was signed, there have been no u. S. Service personnel killed in afghanistan. Mr. Grothman repeat that again. Thats one of those things, if i repeat it back home people wont even believe the numbers. Can you say it again . Secretary helvey zero u. S. Service personnel have been killed since february 29 when we signed the agreement with the taliban. Mr. Grothman wow. So in the last seven months, no americans have been killed in afghanistan. Right . Thats what youre saying. Seven months thats pretty incredible job you guys are doing over there. Ok. I think there are people who feel that i realize you have to hold some troops over there, its important to do so. But there are obviously people who feel, unless we kind of change some of the gender differences over there, that, you know, we ought to maybe be a little bit get more involved there. Are there any other countries around the world that if we begin to go down this path of america must get involved until they straighten things out, that you can imagine that maybe we also would have to get involved, if thats the standard . Ambassador khalilzad we have very many instruments in our tool box. We stand proudly for the values that we have, that are universal values. But different instruments come to be brought to bear and when there is a threat to the National Security, armed forces have their role and responsibility. Mr. Grothman im under the impression, for example, pakistan would be a country that, you know, forced marriages, that sort of thing, not unusual, honor killings. Right . Ambassador khalilzad we obviously thats inconsistent and with our values and we oppose it. But we dont send the armed forces to enforce that change. We use economic leverage, diplomatic leverage, political relations, assistance programs to shape behavior and i think we will continue to have leverage in afghanistan and we would use that leverage to make sure that our values are respected. And to the maximum extent possible. Mr. Grothman weve done that already. Its a great thing we did. I agree with my subcommittee chairman here. We have made a lot of progress, havent we . Ambassador khalilzad historic progress. Mr. Grothman and because the United States was there, right . Ambassador khalilzad afghans are living longer because of our presence. They are living longer, they are healthier than they were. Although still they have a long way to go. More afghans are have access to education. More afghans have access to telephones. To communicating and networking with each other and with the rest of the world. It is a different country than it was in 2001. And i keep telling, and when i talk with the taliban, this is not their fathers afghanistan. This is a different afghanistan and they need to adjust and accommodate that change. Mr. Grothman i just found Something Else here ill tell you. In the 20 years since weve been thrrk the population of afghanistan has almost doubled. Did you know that . Kind of amazing. Ok. Mr. Lynch the gentleman yields. The chair now recognizes the distinguished chair of the full committee, on oversight, the gentlewoman from new york, for five minutes for questions. Mrs. Maloney thank you very much, and welcome to our panelists, thank you very much, mr. Chairman, for your determination to hold this hearing. And recognizing the responsibility of congress to conduct oversight of the war in afghanistan. Thank you to the very sharp pencil pointing at how women and girls are treated. We know that when women succeed, nations succeed. And nations that respect their women and protect them have less violence, less terrorism and is an investment for peace in the world to advance the rights of women. Ambassador, as a new yorker i am painfully aware of 9 11. Where so many people were innocently killed in new york and the pentagon and on flight 93 going straight to our capitol. Americans were just killed for being americans in peaceful areas. And i remember the tapes, the advertisements, the propaganda coming out of afghanistan from Osama Bin Laden and others. Come to afghanistan. Well train you to go out and kill americans. This is where we plotted it. Its so easy. Were here freely living. Were training. Heres our training places. We went into afghanistan to make sure that they would not be training people to kill our allies and americans and come back at us. Yet i dont see anything in your agreement on february 29 that really makes sure that this does not happen again and in fact over the weekend, the former National Security advisor, mcmasters, said, and i quote, terrorist organizations who pose a threat to us are stronger now than they were on september 10, 2001. So i am concerned about the withdrawal of u. S. Forces, will it leave a power vacuum that al qaeda and other terrorist groups can exploit again to plot attacks against americans and our allies . Your response . Ambassador khalilzad first, its great to see you. Malmillion malthank you mrs. Maloney thank you. Ambassador khalilzad of course i share with you, i was in the white house on 9 11, i remember that very vividly. And it affected my own life and the trajectory of my personal circumstances. And what you described, the situation during that time, is exactly right. But i respectfully disagree to say that terrorists in afghanistan in particular are stronger today, al qaeda, than they were at that time. We did discuss that in another setting in detail and i think you should ask the intelligence ommunity to brief you on that. With regard to going forward, the agreement with the taliban, they have made commitments not to allow the kind of things that you said were taking place at that time. No training, no fundraising mrs. Maloney mr. Ambassador, my time is almost up. I would love more of a conversation in writing on how we can enforce and make sure any time theres any activity we can come back in or maybe we should stay until theres more security there. But i do want to follow up on the chairmans questioning on women. In 2017, in a bipartisan way, we passed a very strong bill, the women peace and security act, that recognized when rights and status of women are protected, societies are less violent, theres less terrorism. Yet in the agreement signed earlier, there was nothing in it to protect the rights of afghan women and girls and we know that they were murdered for going to school, they were not allowed to learn, they could not work, they could not protect themselves in any way. And as our chief negotiator, you have said that the talks have to be afghanled and thats true. But we have leverage as the United States to stand up for the protection of women and girls. D i like in your remaining time for us to for you to tell us exactly how youre going to protect them. I also ask unanimous consent to place into the record a series of questions to be answered in writing as we follow up on these negotiations. This is very, very important to our country. Mr. Lynch without objection, so ordered. Mrs. Maloney very important to our country and i believe world peace. What was specifically in there to protect women and girls and to protect us from being attacked again . Ambassador khalilzad on the protection, regarding security, as i said, there are specific commitments by the taliban. Mrs. Maloney is there enforcement . What if they do not do them . Ambassador khalilzad were freed from the commitment that we have made. Thats why i say its conditionbased. That means if they dont deliver on the commitments, we dont have to withdraw forces. We could adjust our force posture. Those are decisions that our management will have to make. This is not an agreement thats based on trust. Its an agreement thats a package. What they do and what we do, and the two are linked with each other. , h regard to womens rights the afghan negotiations, the peace negotiations are not finished yet. We have had the phase dealing with terrorism and forces completed, but that has opened the door to two other issues, the future of afghanistan, and complete and permanent ceasefire. And i want to promise you, assure you, i know of your strong commitment and feelings in this regard and that reflects our values and my instructions that we will work very hard to make sure that the gains that have been made are built upon press all sides in this regard. And we will have the leverage of future relations and assistance in addition to whats going on currently to advance the agenda that we have on our values and that i share and you have been a champion and i salute you for the work that you have done in this regard. Malhello malthank you mrs. Maloney thank you. Mr. Lynch the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. The chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from north carolina, ms. Foxx, for five minutes for questioning. Ms. Foxx i thank you, mr. Chairman. And i may use up that extra time you took since my colleague didnt. [laughter] i find it very interesting i want to thank our witnesses, first of all, for being here. And i find it really, really interesting that our colleagues the re today castigating work thats being done by the Trump Administration to bring peace to afghanistan. And focusing so much on the role of women. Ive been a fighter for womens rights and womens equality all of my life. But i find it really interesting that the hypocrisy comes out. I mean, we hear about the fight for women in afghanistan. I remember very well when president obama was president , the issue of boko haram. And the women being stolen away by boko haram and every wednesday for several years we were asked to wear red on behalf of boko haram. Lots of statements made by the Obama Administration about getting these women back, not a single one of those women was rescued under the Obama Administration. Nothing was done by the Obama Administration to advance the cause of women. And yet here we are raising this issue suddenly when the president is having such success in afghanistan. Suddenly this is being held up, theres a Gold Standard being held up here that was never held up under the Obama Administration. So i want to thank you both for the success thats being had in afghanistan. We all want to see peace around the world. We want to see this senseless war ended. And i think its very encouraging that since the agreement was signed, weve had no deaths of u. S. Soldiers. We dont want any deaths of any soldiers under any administration. Now, mr. Ambassador, ill get to my questions. Youve said that a political solution, including a Peace Agreement, among afghans is the only realistic option at the present time. I personally agree with you. Do you believe such a solution is achievable given that the Afghan Government and the taliban are starting off negotiations very far apart . Ambassador khalilzad thank you, maam, for what you said. I want to also say that women also want peace. They want the war to end. I know many afghan mothers who have lost their children to this war. That has been going on for 40plus years. O we should not forget that. As for the plausibility, likelihood of an agreement between the government and the taliban, i think they are under a lot of pressure from the people, that they must come to an agreement. This afghan negotiations are and search for peace is very popular politically among the Afghan People. Ive seen a recent poll that shows it has support perhaps more than 80 of the population. But youre right. There is a lot big gap between the two sides. And there will be difficulties and challenges no doubt. But i believe that they have a serious opportunity, a real opportunity, not present in the last 40 years, and thanks to the american diplomacy, and the sacrifices of the men and women of our military, that this opportunity has been made available to them. We will help them if they need our help, to come together. But ultimately it is their decision, its their responsibility. But difficulty, yes. But possible, sure. Vital that they do for their own people and for their own country. Ms. Foxx well, you know, theres a saying in this country which i assume is probably true in any country in the world. If mamas not happy, then nobodys happy. And i agree with you. I dont think there are any more people no one has a more vested interest in the safety of children than mothers. And i have no doubt that the mothers in afghanistan are not happy with the loss of their children. Would you talk a little bit more about the status of the troop drawdown based on the joint agreement . And do you believe that in the current trajectory well be able to continue to draw down troops or will the timeline need to be revised . Ambassador khalilzad ill ask david if he would comment on that. Ms. Foxx thank you. Secretary helvey thank you for that question, maam. As i mentioned in my Opening Statement, since the signing of the agreement on february 29, weve reduced our forces per the terms of that agreement to 8600 forces and weve continued that reduction based on guidance and direction from the president and the secretary. Right now based on the conditions, the plan is to achieve somewhere between 4,000 and 5,000 u. S. Service personnel in afghanistan by the end of november, 2020. Weve received no ordered, the secretary has issued no orders to reduce below that level at that time. Obviously the terms of the agreement specify zero by may of 2021 but this is fundamentally, to use words that ambassador khalilzad has said, this is fundamentally conditionsbased. So well be watching very carefully to assess the conditions of taliban compliance with its terms, with the terms of this agreement. And that will be used to inform decisions on further and future withdrawals. We can continue to perform the core elements of our primary missions which is train, advise and assist our afghan partners in the counterterrorism mission, while also providing the Security Forces there within that number, based on the conditions that we currently see. Ms. Foxx and my assumption is, again, that future actions are based, as you said, on the conditions on the ground, and the fact that weve had no deaths since the agreement was signed is a very hopeful sign and as long as things are going in the right direction, then were very hopeful that well be able to withdraw on schedule, thats what im hearing you say. I know we all pray that that is going to be the situation. And with that, i yield back, mr. Chairman. Mr. Lynch the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from vermont, who has had many trips to afghanistan, has been active active on this vote the yeas are issue for a very long time. Youre no youre now recognized for five minutes, mr. Welch. Mr. Welch thank you very much, chairman lynch. And thank you, ambassador. Really appreciate your presence here. The question i ask is, if the taliban ultimately prevails and is in charge in afghanistan, what is the u. S. Position and what is your recommendation, whats your with respect to providing economic assistance to that impoverished country . Whereas i understand it, 90 of people are below the poverty line, living on 2 a day. Ambassador khalilzad thank you, sir. I dont accept the proposition, just for the record, that the taliban will prevail. We are in a stalemate situation mr. Welch let me interrupt there. Lets stay on that. I mean, first of all, i applaud your work and i believe it is time for the United States to be out of afghanistan. But i also think its important for us to be cleareyed about this. Ambassador khalilzad absolutely. Mr. Welch as i understand, the government that weve had in afghanistan, that weve supported, has never had popular support. And the taliban have refused to have direct negotiations with he elected government. They have conversations with the government, the quote elected government, as well as opposition leaders. Is that true . Ambassador khalilzad yes. Now they are negotiating. The taliban and thats an achievement that of this effort, that the governmentled delegation, that includes Political Forces and includes women, civil society, the taliban and its said they wouldnt sit with the government, now they are sitting across the table with the governmentled delegation. Mr. Welch heres where i want us to be cleareyed. The elected government in afghanistan has had one backer and thats essentially the United States. Propped them up with troop support and with trillions of dollars a trillion dollars of expenditures and hundreds of billions dollars of aid, most of which has gone missing. Its not unreasonable to expect that the taliban thats managed to sustain itself is ultimately going to be in charge in afghanistan. My question to you is, how whats the u. S. Policy toward a government that may well be talibanled . Ambassador khalilzad restating without repeating what i said about my assumption, but as far as assistance that afghanistan needs, to the taliban we have legal and policy issues that preclude that at the present time. If the taliban becomes part of a future government, what we would do is an issue for the United States, for congress and the executive branch to decide. Because policy currently is we are not in a position to provide assistance to taliban. Rep. Welch right. Thesecond question is in negotiations, was there any discussion about the fact that throughout our time in theanistan, pakistan in tribal territories were used as safe havens. And what arrangements are made to diminish or eliminate the threat that comes to the United States through the continuation of the pakistani safe haven . Ambassador khalilzad thank you for that important question. Part of the challenge you alluded to is regional environment, and pakistan in particular. The pakistani leaders have been i have for the effort been making to encourage a political settlement. We also, as part of this effort, with help from our allies, are looking at an agreement between afghanistan and pakistan that neither sides territory would be used against the other. And were hoping that by the time these other negotiations are over, we could also achieve success in that regard. That one benefit of peace and afghanistan is activity and trade and Economic Development in that region, and general byproduct, the leader of the military forces in pakistan, the nation does not develop, regions develop. One potential positive implication is a greater economic trade and cooperation that links pakistan and afghanistan to central asia the benefit of all. But your point is obvious he will take. Is well taken. Rep. Welch my time is up. I applaud the success in getting some kind of peace arrangement, but we have to be clearid. Cleareyed. The instability in that region continues. Rep. Lynch the gentleman yields back. Thechair now recognizes gentleman from texas for five minutes. You chairman and ambassador and secretary for being here. Acknowledge the difficulties of working in that region. America wheree in we have more of a centralized identity than those living in afghanistan. Very fractured. And you are dealing with the announcer the u. S. House has been in recess while they negotiate a bill that extends federal spending through september 11. We are back live now to the floor. The rules and pass the bill h. R. 8 37 making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2021 and for other purposes
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