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Taliban join hands for talks led by Mulla Omar
Taliban join hands for talks led by Mulla Omar
Mazhar Tufail
Monday, August 01, 2011
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Islamabad
In their contacts with the Rabbani group, leaders of different groups of the Afghan Taliban have hinted at advancing their dialogue with the Afghan peace jirga under the leadership of Mulla Muhammad Omar.
“The Taliban, who are divided in various groups, have now agreed on one point that talks should be held for establishment of peace in Afghanistan. They are, however, also afraid of al-Qaeda,” said a Taliban leader, who enjoys ample influence among his comrades engaged in talks, while talking to The News here on Saturday from an undisclosed location in Afghanistan on telephone.
“All rounds of talks held so far are just a beginning because nobody from the two sides is yet ready to risk the announcement of power sharing or overtly holding talks for the establishment of permanent peace in Afghanistan with any other group including the Rabbani group,” said the Taliban leader, who wanted not to be named.
The Taliban leader said the progress in talks made recently had never been made in the past. He, however, categorically stated that neither the US has any role in initiation of dialogue nor the Afghan Taliban have agreed to join talks on pursuance by the US.
“It has been our demand since day one that first the US and allied troops should leave Afghanistan. It seems that our demand is going to be met to some extent now. As soon as the foreign troops will start leaving Afghanistan, all the progress made so far in
talks will be made public,” he said.
The Taliban leader said that the authority to make a final decision rests with Mulla Muhammad Omar. He said that a meeting of the Taliban Shura might also be convened to seek the consent of its members for peace talks.
When contacted by The News for comments, Brigadier (R) Mahmood Shah, an expert on Afghan affairs, said it is correct that one group of the Taliban is holding talks with the Afghan leadership.
He said that it is, however, difficult to say that the Taliban are holding talks with the US officials, Afghan government or any specific group because very sensitive issues are involved and none of the groups could risk confirmation of talks as they are afraid of al-Qaeda.
“In the existing circumstances, both sides will definitely deny holding of talks and an effort will be made to keep secret the dialogue process and any progress made so far,” Mahmood Shah said. “If the negotiators come into open, there is a strong possibility that al-Qaeda may kill them. It is an important point with regard to secrecy of talks,” he remarked.
The analyst said that there are 50 percent chances of the success of the talks. He said that one thing is, however, in the favour of the Taliban that their demand of the withdrawal of foreign troops has been acceded to and a formal announcement has also been made in this regard.
Taliban join hands for talks led by Mulla Omar
Mazhar Tufail
Monday, August 01, 2011
Share
Islamabad
In their contacts with the Rabbani group, leaders of different groups of the Afghan Taliban have hinted at advancing their dialogue with the Afghan peace jirga under the leadership of Mulla Muhammad Omar.
“The Taliban, who are divided in various groups, have now agreed on one point that talks should be held for establishment of peace in Afghanistan. They are, however, also afraid of al-Qaeda,” said a Taliban leader, who enjoys ample influence among his comrades engaged in talks, while talking to The News here on Saturday from an undisclosed location in Afghanistan on telephone.
“All rounds of talks held so far are just a beginning because nobody from the two sides is yet ready to risk the announcement of power sharing or overtly holding talks for the establishment of permanent peace in Afghanistan with any other group including the Rabbani group,” said the Taliban leader, who wanted not to be named.
The Taliban leader said the progress in talks made recently had never been made in the past. He, however, categorically stated that neither the US has any role in initiation of dialogue nor the Afghan Taliban have agreed to join talks on pursuance by the US.
“It has been our demand since day one that first the US and allied troops should leave Afghanistan. It seems that our demand is going to be met to some extent now. As soon as the foreign troops will start leaving Afghanistan, all the progress made so far in
talks will be made public,” he said.
The Taliban leader said that the authority to make a final decision rests with Mulla Muhammad Omar. He said that a meeting of the Taliban Shura might also be convened to seek the consent of its members for peace talks.
When contacted by The News for comments, Brigadier (R) Mahmood Shah, an expert on Afghan affairs, said it is correct that one group of the Taliban is holding talks with the Afghan leadership.
He said that it is, however, difficult to say that the Taliban are holding talks with the US officials, Afghan government or any specific group because very sensitive issues are involved and none of the groups could risk confirmation of talks as they are afraid of al-Qaeda.
“In the existing circumstances, both sides will definitely deny holding of talks and an effort will be made to keep secret the dialogue process and any progress made so far,” Mahmood Shah said. “If the negotiators come into open, there is a strong possibility that al-Qaeda may kill them. It is an important point with regard to secrecy of talks,” he remarked.
The analyst said that there are 50 percent chances of the success of the talks. He said that one thing is, however, in the favour of the Taliban that their demand of the withdrawal of foreign troops has been acceded to and a formal announcement has also been made in this regard.
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