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AFGHANISTAN-US-TALIBAN-TALKS
Kabul govt key to peace talks, US says, after Taliban progress
KABUL, Jan 28, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Afghanistan said on Monday it has been
reassured by Washington that progress in talks with the Taliban remains
geared towards facilitating peace negotiations with the government in Kabul.
US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad arrived in Afghanistan late Sunday to
update officials, including President Ashraf Ghani, on six days of talks with
Taliban representatives in Qatar.
Both the US and the Taliban have cited “progress” as hopes rise that the
unprecedented length of the negotiations could mean a deal paving the way to
Afghan peace talks may be in sight, although sticking points remain.
But Afghan authorities have previously complained of being excluded from
the discussions, and warned that any deal between the US and the Taliban
would require Kabul’s endorsement.
“The US insisted in their talks with the Taliban that the only solution
for lasting peace in Afghanistan is intra-Afghan talks,” Khalilzad said,
according to a statement released by the presidential palace in Kabul.
“My role is to facilitate” such talks between the insurgents and Kabul,
Khalilzad said according to Ghani, adding that the discussions are ongoing.
The Taliban have long refused to negotiate with the Afghan government,
branding them as “puppets”.
The palace said Khalilzad also confirmed that no agreement had been made
on the withdrawal of foreign troops, adding that any such decision would be
coordinated and discussed in detail with the Afghan government.
The Taliban have insisted on the withdrawal of foreign troops, and US
President Donald Trump’s clear eagerness to end America’s longest war has
weighed on the negotiations.
On Saturday Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that until a
withdrawal timetable is decided progress on other issues is “impossible”.
The palace’s statement also said Khalilzad denied reports that the issue
of an interim government had been raised, and that the US and the Taliban had
agreed on a timetable for a US withdrawal and a ceasefire.
“We have discussed a ceasefire with the Taliban, but there is no progress
so far,” Khalilzad said, according to the statement.
Speculation of an interim government is “absolutely wrong”, he added,
saying there were no discussions about the future government in the talks
with the Taliban.
Afghans have expressed tentative hopes about the talks tempered by fears
about an American exit, with Afghan security forces taking staggering losses,
the government facing election upheaval, and civilians paying a
disproportionate price after nearly two decades of bloodshed.
The Taliban and US officials have agreed to continue negotiations, though
no date has been publicly announced.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1503 hrs