In London, Afghan President Hamid Karzai argued that the best way to end the war in his country was by reaching out to the Taliban leadership. He also announced that he would invite Taliban leaders to an upcoming peace jirga (tribal conference). This initiative is a significant development in Karzai’s plan for stabilising Afghanistan, which he set in motion about a year ago.
‘Talks about talks’ between the Afghan government and the Taliban leadership have already begun, according to a UN official, who revealed on Thursday that the UN representative to Afghanistan, Kai Eide, met “active” members of the Taliban insurgency in Dubai this month. The meeting was not a negotiation, rather, it was an initial discussion on the possibility of beginning peace talks with the Afghan government.
The Afghan government’s desire to engage with the Taliban leadership is bound to cause diplomatic friction between Kabul and Washington. The US also supports talks with militants, but has called for a strategy that involves luring back low- and mid-level Taliban fighters, as opposed to the top leadership, which is accused of sheltering Osama bin Laden and working closely with Al Qaeda.
Do you think the Afghan government should enter peace talks with the Taliban? Should Kabul engage the Taliban leadership, or only win back the loyalty of militant ‘foot soldiers’? Do you think militants will be open to joining the Afghan government and furthering the democratic process? Can Kabul afford to anger Washington?
The following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Talibans are Virus for this society and need to be finished.
Taliban is the reality and are pashtun as well. The President Karzai is following Pashtun custom and convention. Afghanistani peoples should decide their own destiny instead of looking to the foreigners.
The peoples of Afghanistan can not be dictated, this is what the History told us.
Afghan president is not a friend of Pakistan.
We should take this into consideration before dealing in any matter with him.
flower5
On the very first day when Afghanistan was doomed with bombs and invaders liberated Iraq from the tyranny all of us said TALK. Now what has left there on the ground to talk blood painted walls which can neither hear nor talk.
Please read history world powers always use their powerful muscle then they talk.
No they must not, because those had violated and done many crimes, how they would be able to run a govt.?
There should be negotiation with them and Taliban could do participation in govt. activities but whole govt. must not be handed to them, because who guarantees that they will run govt. as per requirements???
This so-called war on terror should be ended. This has not brought any thing good to the world but destruction and disasters. The people in Afghanistan and in tribal areas of Pakistan should be given education and job opportunities so that they do not fall prey to these so called Jihidists elements.
If the Taliban leadership cannot take over the Afghan government they will not lay down their arms. They want no less than to be in unconditional control of the country. In this the Afghan citizens will suffer. They get to continue living in a 7th century country.
I wonder why this u-turn by western and afghan government now? Are they losing? Or they want to leave Afghanistan quickly?
USA should start thinking on it early and it is a very good idea. Before 2001, Taliban were ruling very well with peace. That was a big mistake by USA to involve in Afghanistan like this way.
The US failed in locating weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, still chasing Osama and now approaching Taliban.
Afghan should know that never mullah or Taliban can bring long-term peace, prosperity for the future of that country. Talib or mullah can only be good for teaching region in the mosque but not to run a country.
Which Taliban? Who are we kidding-Taliban is not a single entity and it obviously does not have a command structure. How can anyone talk to Taliban as it is a general name for all the difference groups 100’s if not 1000’s who are fighting in Afghanistan and Pakistan except for the Al-qaida members and how could we even tell who is Taliban or Al-qaida? Come on Obama.
Talk is the only way to resume peace here. Not only talk but inclusiveness as well. West is in a fools paradise if they think they can buy out the insurgency. All connected parties in this region Iran, India ,Russia ,Pakistan should take up constructive roles to make the peace happen and get the western forces out of here.
I believe that the dialogue between Taliban and Afghan government should only take place until all the foreign occupying forces including the USA leave the war torn country. After they have left the country, there will be peace not only in Afghanistan but in the whole region.
I support the strings of “withdrawl of NATO forces from Afghanistan prior to talks” which the Taliban attached as pre-condition to talks with the Afghan government.
Hope peace will come to this bitterly war ravaged country soon inshallah.
I am afraid the cooperation between the Taliban and the Western forces or administrators would be a political fiasco – a failure.
The question asked by Moderator is inherently wrong. The Question should be:
Should the Obama Adminstration talk to the Taliban?
Karzai Admin has no authority to deal with such sensitive issue without involvement of US/NATO in this process.
What was wrong when Afghan Taliban were offering talks to then Bush Adminstration to solve the Osama question. Clearly, Al-Quaida was an excuse to invade Afghanistan. Was so much destruction in Afganistan and Pakistan necessary to arrive at this question?
The West will not be able to end terrorism by killing every terrorist in the world because it would breed ten times more terrorists.
One of the options is to sit across the table with them and talk to them and find out their point of view.
It is good option to invite Taliban to join the grand council to reduce tention. It is a big ask who will guarantee on the Part of Afghan Government and Taliban to maintain trust on each other. Will the bitterness of 8 years war just end in a single meeting?
They must not only talk with Taliban rather they should hand over the Government to them so there could be peace in the region.
If Taliban terrorists are ready for giving up their terrorist activities and are ready to accept Afghan constitution then there’s no harm !
Ultimately there has to be a political solution for Afghanistan. An LTTE like inhalation is inhuman and disastrous and should never be followed/ done.
All those who are willing to lay arms, renounce valiance and willing to participate in building of a democratic and secular Afghanistan should be welcomed with open hand by every one.
It dose not matter whether he/ she is a foot soldier, low-, mid- or top-level leadership. The top-leadership has to win an election in Afghanistan to remain on top.
For those who are bend upon continuance of violence, the world community should unite and keep hitting hard. This is just to persuade these element to denounce violence and join Afghanistan.
Does this mean that the Afghan govt (and the US military) are showing weakness? 8 years of war and nothing good is gained. Surely, the Taliban won’t turn into a moderate ruling party in Afghanistan. There’s talk about them getting into the political mainstream etc, but I don’t see any of this working.