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Taliban list demands to talk to U.S,, but NATO denies supposed American comments
[KhaamaPress] The Taliban militants have said they are waiting to receive a formal offer from the United States for direct talks to find a solution to the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. The group also shared a demand ahead of the talks with the United States, saying "We want names of our leaders removed from the United Nations sanctions list as a confidence building measure ahead of the talks," according to Daily Times. "We will start official talks with the US about the withdrawal of foreign forces and their concerns," the Taliban representative told the Pakistan-based paper. "We want direct negotiations with the US to find out a solution to the problem. We want talks on the withdrawal of the foreign troops first and then we will work for peace," he further said. This comes as reports emerged on Monday suggesting that the Administration of President Donald Trump has reportedly ordered its top diplomat to seek direct talks with the Taliban group in Afghanistan in a bid to help kick start Afghan negotiations. Sources privy of the development in U.S. and Afghanistan have told The New York Times that the Trump administration is considering a strategy shift to help the launch of a broader, formal negotiations to end the long war. No date has been set for the likely talks between the US and the Taliban group with the US State Department and the Taliban yet to formally comment regarding the latest developments. NATO rejects remarks attributed to Gen. Nicholson regarding direct talks with Taliban [KhaamaPress] The NATO-led Resolute Mission has rejected remarks attributed to US Forces and Resolute Support Mission Commander General John Nicholson regarding the direct US talks with the Taliban group. "The United States is not a substitute for the Afghan people or the Afghan government," said U.S. Army Gen. John Nicholson, Resolute Support commander. He said "My reaffirmation of Secretary Pompeo's statement in which he said peace talks would include a discussion of international forces and that the United States is ready to work with the Taliban, the Afghan government and the Afghan people towards lasting peace was mischaracterized." According to Resolute Support Mission, the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued his statement, June 16, days after the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's unilateral cease-fire with the Taliban was announced by H.E. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and began, June 12. "As President Ghani emphasized in his statement to the Afghan people, peace talks by necessity would include a discussion of the role of international actors and forces," said Pompeo in his statement. "The United States is prepared to support, facilitate, and participate in these discussions." "The U.S. is exploring all avenues to advance a peace process in close consultation with the Afghan government," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Martin L. O'Donnell, Resolute Support spokesman. "But this remains an Afghan-led process." Posted by: trailing wife 2018-07-18 |
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