Afghan govt signals may join Taliban peace talks

Spokesman Fayeq Wahidi said Kerry promised that the Taliban flag and a nameplate with their former regime’s name would be removed and said the US would issue a formal letter supporting the Afghan government.

Wahidi said “we would see no problem in entering into talks with the Taliban in Qatar” once that happens.

The office used the formal name of “Islamic Emirate Of Afghanistan” from the rebels’ 1996-2001 government,and a Taliban spokesman at the opening press conference declined to say they supported the peace process.

Karzai told Kerry that Afghan public opinion was “extremely negative” to the way in which the Taliban office had been unveiled in an event that many experts described as an international publicity coup for the rebels.

“The opening of this office has made the Taliban look strong,the Americans desperate and President Karzai angry,” the Afghanistan Analysts Network said in a briefing.

With the US-led NATO combat mission due to end next year,US officials are determined to resume talks with the Taliban after tentative contacts limited to a prisoner swap collapsed last year.

However,Karzai,the only leader of Afghanistan since the Taliban were toppled in the 2001 US-led invasion,opposes bilateral US-Taliban talks.

Meanwhile,a key Afghan Taliban negotiator has said a ceasefire may be on the agenda during talks with the United States.

Mohammad Naim,who heads the Taliban’s political office,said issues like a ceasefire could be discussed after the formal talks get underway. “Ceasefire could be discussed during the talks,” he said.

He indicated a major shift in the group’s policy by hinting at possible talks with the government-backed Afghan High Peace Council.

“Our Qatar office is a second home for Afghans and we will listen to every Afghan. Every Afghan will be welcomed in our office,” Naim said when he was asked if the Taliban were willing to negotiate with the High Peace Council.

Naeem,however,said Afghan authorities had not yet approached their office in Doha.

Asked about the agenda of the Taliban’s first meeting with US officials,the negotiator said,“We will present our proposals in the first meeting and will listen to what the Americans have to say.”

He sought to quash the impression that Pakistan has an influence on the Afghan Taliban. “We are completely independent in taking decisions and are not under the influence of any country,” Naeem said.