Taliban plans talks with US in Islamabad
‘DISCUSSIONS’ WITH IMRAN ON AFGHANISTAN ALSO PROPOSED
The Taliban said Wednesday that its negotiators would meet US envoys for talks this month in Islamabad, and also sit down with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to discuss Afghanistan.
While Islamabad did not immediately confirm the talks, Washington said it had “noted” the announcement, which comes after weeks of meetings between the US and Taliban officials.
“We are not going to negotiate in public,” a US State Department spokesperson told AFP, adding the US had not received a formal invitation to any talks.
“This is the beginning of a long process which we continue to work through private diplomatic channels.”
The announcement comes as America’s chief negotiator tours the globe shoring up support for a peace process to end its longest war.
Zalmay Khalilzad, a former ambassador to Afghanistan, held extensive talks with the militants last month in Qatar, where the Taliban have an office.
More talks are slated for later in February. The Taliban’s statement said separate meetings would be held first on February 18 in Islamabad “by the formal invitation of the government of Pakistan”.
Talks in Doha would follow a week later on February 25, the statement read.
Khalilzad is heading a large delegation on a tour of Belgium, Germany, Turkey, Qatar, Afghanistan and Pakistan to boost the peace process and bring all Afghan parties to the table.
He has expressed cautious hope for a deal before Afghan presidential elections slated for July, but says the Taliban must come to the table with the Kabul government, which the insurgents consider a US puppet.
President Ashraf Gani — who has expressed frustration at being sidelined from recent talks — flew to Munich on Wednesday to attend an international security conference, his office said.
The Taliban also announced a meeting with Prime Minister Khan in Islamabad for “comprehensive discussions” about bilateral affairs with Afghanistan. News reports suggest Islamabad was open to hosting the next round of talks with the insurgents.