File photo of US Secretary of State John Kerry. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
DOHA:
US Secretary of State John Kerry put the onus on the Taliban to revive stalled efforts to end Afghanistan’s 12-year-old war and warned the ultraconservative militia on Saturday they might lose their new office in Qatar if the peace bid collapsed.
US officials were due to hold preliminary discussions with the Taliban in Qatar last Thursday, but they were called off after the Afghan government objected to the fanfare surrounding the militants’ opening of an office in Doha.
“We need to see if we can get back on track ... I don’t know whether that’s possible or not,” Kerry told a news conference in Qatar. “If there is not a decision ... to move forward by the Taliban in short order, then we may have to consider whether or not the office has to be closed.”
Kerry did not spell out what steps he wanted the militants to take to revive the preliminary meeting, but according to Afghan government officials they had been particularly angered by the Taliban’s decoration of their building with a flag and plaques that suggested the group had achieved some level of international recognition.
The decorations had broken agreements on how the build-up to the talks would be handled, the government officials said. The plaques bore the name of the ‘Political Office of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’, the name the Taliban used for the country when they controlled it.
The Taliban’s flag was later lowered, but not removed. A nameplate outside the office was taken down but a similar one inside was still in place.
US special envoy arrives
Kerry said the US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, James Dobbins, had arrived in Qatar for the talks, but added: “We are waiting to find out whether or not the Taliban will respond in order to follow the sequence, which has been very painstakingly established.”
“We have performed our part in good faith. Regrettably, the agreement was not adhered to in the early hours,” Kerry said.
US officials had said the Taliban was expected to use the talks to seek the return of former commanders now held by Washington at Guantanamo Bay. The United States wants the return of the only known US prisoner of war from the conflict, Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, who is believed to be held by the Taliban.
Kerry on Saturday declined to comment on the prospect of Taliban prisoners being freed. “It’s just not where the process is,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 23rd, 2013.
COMMENTS (14)
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Like they care if you close the office, America should cry if it closes because they are dying, Taliban is winning. All Americans do is kill innocent and setup fake terrorist networks.
@ahmed41: Ummm, they already lowered their flag and also removed the name plate from outside their building. Read.
It’s a very delicate situation and early stage of talks. The better might be for US, Taliban and Afghanistan to focus on positive aspects and leave negativity because the entire world has been waiting for ending the 12-year war through parleys. If they miss the bus today they would sit across the table tomorrow. The end of the Afghan war possible by negotiations and if there military solution was possible then why the former Soviet Union and US and its failed.
Mr. Kerry you have already tried fighting and you lost 80% percent of afghanistan to them.what are you bullying about.
I know ET wont publish this.
@ahmed41: You are damned right! The USA wanted a free pass from the Talibans to take their weaponry out of Afghanista via Pakistan highway and the sea route. Plan B is in action now...Chuck Hagel has no patience for the slow walk to talk of Kerry and has oredered the destruction of the several billion dollars equipment in Afghanistan.
Rex Minor
What other options do you have Mr Kerry.You have tried everything. It is now high time and please now listen to them at equal footing and find a resolution to this conflict, in the greater interest of a better and peaceful world especially the poor local population.
No war can lead to positive outcomes, only talks can give good and acceptable results.strong text
Taliban know that its America's time to bend down and beg,not theirs.Its just beginning,to make these talks really fruitful,US has to be patient and generous.
The Americans should know what they're in for. The people they're dealing with only understand the language of brute force - just take a look at the 'peace deals' here in Tirah and Swat for proof. And giving them a plush office in Doha is only emboldening them. At least it's a good thing that Kerry gave them the message that if they don't straighten out their act and fulfill on their promises their office would be closed and they'd be sent packing. Unlike here in Pakistan where the authorities bend over backwards to accommodate their ridiculous demands.
no "threats' from anyone in the US is going to frighten the Taliban into talking with their opponents.
The US + NATO forces in Afghanistan have tried to beat them first and then to invite them for "talks", but raw military power of the Americans and NATO has its obvious limitations.
Unfortunately, TIME is on the side of the Taliban !!! and they know it.
Damn good idea, Kerry, fight it out with these afghans, they do not belong to the region, defeat them and rule afghan thru karzai. Then once this is done and over with, cut & run, as fast as you can, before every foreigner & outsider's hinds are whooped and torn to pieces by talibans, the true afghan nationals.
Taliban were atleast 1000 times honest than current rulers of Afghanistan. Instead of spending trillions of dollar on war, if US Govt. had given 1/100th of what they spent on war to Taliban. Afghanistan would have been better than any asian country.
"“We have performed our part in good faith. Regrettably, the agreement was not adhered to in the early hours,” Kerry said." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ How Naive this americn is! He expects agreements with the Taliban to be adhered to.
So our "strategic assets" may return to Quetta empty-handed!
Taliban would have to come their senses. Their days are over and they are not going to repeat their Sharia rule ever again. It is now for Taliban to take it or leave it.