Taliban say they held peace talks in first direct contact with a US official

The Taliban have had their first direct contact with a US official and discussions about peace talks on Afghanistan, one of its leaders said yesterday.

It marked one of the most significant developments amid efforts to find a negotiated end to the country’s protracted war.

The official said last week’s meeting with Alice Wells, the US’s top diplomat for South Asia, was useful. He said the meeting was held in Qatar, where the Taliban have had a political office since 2013.

“The environment was positive and the discussion was useful,” he told AP.

US officials did not confirm or deny that a meeting took place but Ms Wells was in Doha last week. After her return, the US State Department said only that she had been in Doha and that “the United States is exploring all avenues to advance a peace process in close consultation with the Afghan government”.

Any talks about a future political setup would be between the Taliban and the Afghan government, the statement said.

The Taliban have long demanded negotiations with Washington, saying they do not want to talk politics with the US, but meet face to face to discuss Washington’s security concerns about the Taliban and their involvement in Afghanistan’s future.

They have also said they want a time frame for the withdrawal of about 15,000 US and Nato troops.

It was not clear when the next meeting would be held or with whom, but the Taliban official was certain one would occur.

A former Taliban minister and head of their political committee, Aga Jan Mohtism, who has maintained close contacts with the militant group, also confirmed a meeting in Doha between US officials and the Taliban.

“The Taliban want to solve their problems with the Americans to end the invasion,” Mr Mohtism said.

The Taliban have argued that the Afghan government can not act independently of Washington. They have also said that unless they can allay US concerns about the group, an agreement with Kabul would be meaningless.

The Taliban’s five-year rule, ended with the 2001 US-led invasion. During that time, leader Mullah Mohammed Omar said that regardless of whatever concessions they agreed to, including allowing girls to attend school, it would not gain them international recognition if the US refused to accept them.

The current leadership, most of whom are Mullah Omar’s contemporaries, still believe their future in Afghanistan can be guaranteed only if the US concerns are addressed.

Until now, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s national security team has said it is ready to hold talks with the Taliban at any time and that their allies, including the US, should participate only as observers.

In Kabul yesterday, Shah Hussain Murtazawi, deputy spokesman for Mr Ghani, did not comment directly on the meeting in Doha or say whether the government was aware of it.

A 2013 attempt at direct talks between Washington and the Taliban in Doha was scuttled when then president Hamid Karzai objected to the Taliban calling its office the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and flying the flag the movement flew when they ruled Afghanistan.

The Taliban want to solve their problems with the Americans to end the invasion AGA JAN MOHTISM Former Taliban minister and head of their political committee