‘Shaky, erratic’: US-Taliban talks revived in Qatar, claims Karzai

Both Taliban and US representatives deny any such talks.

KABUL: The Afghan Taliban and the United States have been holding talks in the Gulf state of Qatar, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on Sunday, but the militant group and Washington denied they had resumed dialogue.

The Taliban suspended the talks one year ago, blaming “shaky, erratic and vague” US statements.

“Senior leaders of the Taliban and the Americans are engaged in talks in the Gulf state on a daily basis,” Karzai told a gathering to mark the International Women’s Day.

The US government has said it remained committed to political reconciliation involving talks with the Taliban but progress would require agreement between the Afghan government and insurgents.

However, the US begs to differ. “This is simply incorrect,” said a US official, who declined to be identified, when asked about Karzai’s remarks.

“We continue to support an Afghan-led process of political reconciliation.”

The Taliban beg to differ too. The Taliban spokesman in Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid, denied that negotiations with the US had resumed and said no progress had been made since they were suspended.

“The Taliban strongly reject Karzai’s comments,” he said.

Pakistan indicated a few months ago that it would support the peace process by releasing Afghan Taliban detainees who may help promote the peace process.

Collusion accusation

A day after two suicide bombings killed 17 people, Karzai also accused the United States and the Taliban of colluding to convince Afghans that foreign forces were still needed to maintain peace in the country beyond next year.

US forces have denied involvement in any abuses and it was not clear if they were leaving Wardak by the deadline.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11^th, 2013.