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Pakistani Taliban deny they are in peace talks
By RASOOL DAWAR • Associated Press | Posted: Monday, December 12, 2011 12:00 am | No Comments Posted
PESHAWAR, Pakistan • A Pakistani Taliban spokesman denied Sunday an announcement by the militant group's deputy chief that it was holding peace talks with the government.
The conflicting claims are a clear sign of splits within the movement, which could make it harder for Islamabad to strike a deal to end the violent insurgency gripping the country.
The Pakistani government, meanwhile, said the U.S. vacated an air base that had been used by American drones. Islamabad had ordered the Americans out in retaliation for U.S. airstrikes last month that accidentally killed 24 Pakistani soldiers along the Afghan border.
Pakistan's conflict with its branch of the Taliban is closely linked to the American-led war in neighboring Afghanistan. Past informal cease-fires have made it easier for Afghan militants sheltered by their Pakistani counterparts to attack U.S. forces across the border — making potential peace talks between Islamabad and the Pakistani Taliban a potential cause of concern in Washington.
Maulvi Faqir Mohammed, who has been recognized by both militants and officials as the deputy chief of the Pakistani Taliban, said Saturday that the group was in negotiations with the government.
Spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan denied Mohammed's claims, saying there would be no negotiations until the government imposed Islamic law, or Shariah, in the country.
Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/nationa...#ixzz1gIhEkBlV
By RASOOL DAWAR • Associated Press | Posted: Monday, December 12, 2011 12:00 am | No Comments Posted
PESHAWAR, Pakistan • A Pakistani Taliban spokesman denied Sunday an announcement by the militant group's deputy chief that it was holding peace talks with the government.
The conflicting claims are a clear sign of splits within the movement, which could make it harder for Islamabad to strike a deal to end the violent insurgency gripping the country.
The Pakistani government, meanwhile, said the U.S. vacated an air base that had been used by American drones. Islamabad had ordered the Americans out in retaliation for U.S. airstrikes last month that accidentally killed 24 Pakistani soldiers along the Afghan border.
Pakistan's conflict with its branch of the Taliban is closely linked to the American-led war in neighboring Afghanistan. Past informal cease-fires have made it easier for Afghan militants sheltered by their Pakistani counterparts to attack U.S. forces across the border — making potential peace talks between Islamabad and the Pakistani Taliban a potential cause of concern in Washington.
Maulvi Faqir Mohammed, who has been recognized by both militants and officials as the deputy chief of the Pakistani Taliban, said Saturday that the group was in negotiations with the government.
Spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan denied Mohammed's claims, saying there would be no negotiations until the government imposed Islamic law, or Shariah, in the country.
Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/nationa...#ixzz1gIhEkBlV