The Taliban Set To Talk Meet US Officials Amid Violence In Afghanistan

The Taliban Set To Talk Meet US Officials Amid Violence In Afghanistan

As the United States is preparing for formal talks with the Taliban, the insurgent group claimed responsibility for an attack that killed four US soldiers in Afghanistan.

Two rockets were reportedly fired by into the Bagram airbase, according to the spokesman of the group. Prior to the attack, US officials indicated that direct talks with the group will be held in Doha, Qatar on Thursday. The talks are aimed at creating a framework that may bring an end to the war in Afghanistan.

A delegation from the group will meet with senior officials of the US State Department and the White House.

President Barack Obama revealed that the talks in Qatar will be the initial steps in its discussion with the Taliban. Some obstacles may be encountered in the future, he added. The government of President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan is not anticipated to join the early stages of the talks. However, the Afghan leader revealed that envoys will be sent to Qatar in an attempt to initiate peace talks with the group in Kabul.

The talks between the US and the Taliban may result to a meeting between the group and a peace council created by the Afghan president. No formal talks have been initiated between the insurgents and the government of Karzai.

President Karzai indicated that the talks are supposed to result to additional discussions in Kabul. It should also aim to end the violence in Afghanistan, and should not be a means of exploitation of Afghanistan by a third country. He made these statements following the takeover of the security of the country by Afghan troops from the military coalition led by NATO.

According to John Feffer, a foreign policy expert from the Institute for Policy Studies, some quarters within the Taliban are opposed to the talks in Qatar. Some members are reportedly waiting for the replacement of Karzai. They are also observing how the Afghan troops are able to control the security situation, particularly with the recent increase in violence in the country.

A senior official of the US earlier indicated that it was essential for the insurgent group to break its ties with Al-Qaeda, stop the violence and recognize the constitution of Afghanistan in order for reconciliation to materialize. He added that Pakistani leaders should also recognize that stability within Pakistan will be attained once the situation in Afghanistan becomes stable.

The official also indicated that supporting the peace talks between Afghanistan and the Taliban is in the best interests of Pakistan.

Posted by James Fried on Thursday June 20 2013, 6:04 AM EST. Ref: VOA News. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0