Afghan Peace Conference Focuses on Reconciliation
VOA News 03 June 2010
Afghan tribal elders and other delegates at a peace conference in Kabul say the meeting is the country's last hope in ending nearly nine years of war with Taliban insurgents.
Nearly 1,600 delegates divided into working groups Thursday to find ways to reconcile with the Taliban, during the second day of the peace assembly or jirga.
The deputy head of the conference, Qiyamuddin Kashaf, said the jirga is the last chance to end the unrest, noting that "if we fail to open a window for peace...we cannot open the main gate."
Security was tightened throughout the Afghan capital Thursday, a day after Taliban militants attacked the assembly, and fired missiles that landed near the massive tent housing the conference. Two suicide bombers were killed, but no one else was injured in Wednesday's attack.
The Taliban was not invited to the conference and has said it will not engage in peace talks until all foreign troops leave Afghanistan.
The Afghan government is demanding the Taliban lay down their arms, renounce violence and accept the constitution.
Some Afghans are skeptical that the jirga will be successful. Critics say the delegates were hand-picked by the government and they say that no active members of insurgent groups are taking part.
After Thursday's group meetings, conference delegates will report back to former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani who is jirga chairman. Rabbani will announce a final declaration of the jirga at the end of the three-day assembly on Friday.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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