US to hold talks with Taliban in Qatar within days: US Official
Iran Press TV
Tue Jun 18, 2013 5:33PM GMT
The United States will hold talks with representatives of the Taliban within the coming days after the militant group opened an office in the Qatari capital, Doha, an official source says.
A senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Tuesday that, “I think the US will have its first formal meeting with the Taliban, and the first meeting with the Taliban for several years, in a couple of days in Doha.”
The official added that he expected the talks to be followed by a meeting “between the Taliban and the High Peace Council, which is the structure that [Afghan] President [Hamid] Karzai has set up for talks of this nature.”
Karzai created the body in 2010 to broker peace with the Taliban militants.
The official’s comments come as the Taliban militants opened their political office in the Qatari capital, Doha, earlier in the day. The office is officially called the Political Bureau of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
In this regard, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the opening of the office is aimed at starting a “dialogue between the Taliban and the world."
The Afghan president also announced that he would soon send representatives from the High Peace Council to Qatar to hold negotiations with the Taliban.
“We don't have any immediate preconditions for talks between the Afghan peace council and the Taliban, but we have principles laid down,” Karzai said.
Sources close to the Taliban office in Qatar say a prisoner swap deal will be made in the future.
According to the secret accord, three Taliban commanders jailed in Guantanamo will be freed in return for release of American soldier, Bowe Beghdel, held by Taliban since 2009.
MKA/SS
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