The official said the group, seen as the biggest security threat to the strategic US ally, had flatly rejected a demand that it work through tribal elders to reach a deal whereby fighters approach authorities and lay down their arms.
It had earlier been reported that ‘secret talks’ between Pakistan’s security agencies and the local Taliban – who have reportedly splintered down into many different groups – had entered a decisive phase.
Both sides were hoping that negotiations would culminate in a ‘lasting’ agreement to help restore peace in the country’s lawless tribal lands.
COMMENTS (7)
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Asking TTP to lay down arms (also demanded by Rehman Malik this side of the border) is a most unreasonable demand with zero relevance to ground realities.
Instead they may be offered to keep their Militias for the time being and join a National Govt with suitable conditions and moderation of their stance towards minorities / women. I am sure they wont agree due to their rigid / one track mind. They want it all and wont share the pie. Once they are exposed as such, they would loose the moral high ground and may thereafter be crushed with full force. USA can tell Pakistan: look we offered them a major stake in Govt and promised pullout but still they want to overthrow all other stake holders. How can you possibly support them and be responsible for a perpetual civil war on your borders?
That would be a masterstroke with devastating simplicity.
@Barekzai
Its the Afghans who have lost everything in last 30 years of fighting, and only gained foolish boasts about their fighting prowess.
no one can make agreement with those people, who follows wrong ideologies
At the end of the day, the TTP are Afghans who remember their betrayal at the hands of their so called Muslim "brethren".....once they start, you lose :~)
Vienna,January 19,2012 Again Reuters news is not unambigous.A senior "Internal" security official or "external" security official, in other words MILITARY is the question.There is a kind of domain war between the two security establishments on who is the more sovereign. Taravadu Taranga Trust for Media Monitoring TTTMM India --Kulamarva Balakrishna
Taliban must be made to lay down their arms. Otherwise we cannot have fully trained militants become part of our society
after all build up now what happened. i am sick of psychological war,everyday new story shows up.couple of days ago hakim ullah meshud was reported dead.last month media said that talk with taliban is progressing and surprising results expected. all media war.nothing true.