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Afghan panel angrily reacts to unilateral US-Taliban talks

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Aug 14, IRNA -- Chairman of the Afghan High Peace Council, Prof. Burhanuddin Rabbani has said that Afghan authorities had objected at the US talks with an Afghan Taliban leader without informing the Afghan government.

Former US Defence Secretary Robert Gates confirmed in June that the US officials had held direct talks with Taliban a day after Afghan President Hamid Karzai made similar disclosure. The talks are believed to have been held in Germany and Qatar.

No side had mentioned name of the Taliban leader but media said talks were held with Tayyeb Agha, the former spokesman for Taliban chief Mulla Mohammad Omar.

When asked about the talks between the US officials and Taliban leader, Rabbani said when the US informed the Afghan officials about the talks, Afghanistan strongly objected at the initiative as to why Afghan government and the Peace Council were not informed before the talks were held. He said the US and Taliban have held two rounds of talks.

He told Pakistan’s Geo television in an interview that senior US officials had informed the Afghan authorities that the talks were aimed at facilitating the Afghan peace process and the Afghan government. He said the US had promised to include Afghan authorities in the next round of talks but the Americans are facing problems in third round. The interview was aired Thursday evening.

“As we raised objections at the talks, the Americans told us that the negotiation was an attempt to facilitate the possible process between the Taliban and Afghan authorities,”Rabbani said.

He said that several Afghan Taliban leaders are living in Pakistan and Islamabad must convince them to join the reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

“I think Pakistan still supports Taliban and several Taliban leaders are living in Pakistan, and Pakistan can encourage them to come to the negotiation table,” Rabbani said.

To a question he called for removal of Taliban chief Mulla Mohammad Omar and all other leaders from the UN black list as it is important for the peace and reconciliation process.

Asked whether the peace commission has established any contact with Mulla Omar or senior Taliban leaders, he said some Taliban are interested in talks and want to join the reconciliation process. “Some others oppose and can harm the peace process”. He said several Taliban have fear that they could be harmed if they entered into peace process.

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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30518615