Britain and the United States say they will work with other nations to develop a coordinated strategy for Afghanistan, and that when it comes to the Taliban’s pledges for how it will operate, the group’s actions are ultimately what matter”We will judge this regime based on the choices it makes, and by its actions rather than by its words, on its attitude to terrorism, to crime and narcotics, as well as humanitarian access, and the rights of girls to receive an education,” Johnson told members of parliament Wednesday.FILE – Schoolgirls attend class in Herat on Aug. 17, 2021, following the Taliban stunning takeover of the country.Johnson spoke by phone with U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday. A White House statement said the leaders “discussed the need for continued close coordination among allies and democratic partners on Afghanistan policy going forward, including ways the global community can provide further humanitarian assistance and support for refugees and other vulnerable Afghans.” They agreed to hold a meeting of G-7 leaders next week to discuss the situation. U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters Tuesday that the international community expects the Taliban to “meet their obligations to the basic human rights and human dignity of people.” He said the Biden administration would directly communicate to the Taliban “both what the costs and disincentives are for certain types of action and what our expectations are.” Hundreds of people gather outside the international airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 17, 2021.A White House official said as of Tuesday night, the U.S. had evacuated more than 3,200 people. Germany is conducting its own evacuation campaign, including its nationals, human rights activists and Afghans who worked with foreign forces. The first of Germany’s flights landed early Wednesday in Frankfurt, airline Lufthansa said. Both Germany and the United States were sending more troops to the airport to help with the evacuation effort. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Wednesday a flight carrying 25 French nationals and 184 Afghans landed in Abu Dhabi. Dutch Foreign Minister Sigrid Kaag tweeted that the first two flights carrying people back to her country had left Kabul, and that officials were working with allies to coordinate future evacuations. Ayesha Tanzeem contributed to this story from in Kabul.Some information for this report came from the Associated Press, AFP and Reuters,
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