Neighbourhood watch: Trilateral meeting termed ‘fruitful’

Tensions reportedly controlled after US, Pakistan and Afghanistan talks in Brussels.

ISLAMABAD:

United States Secretary of State John Kerry hosted Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at Brussels this week. The tripartite talks were held to address growing tensions between the two neighbours and ensure their cooperation encourages the Taliban to join the reconciliation process.

Kerry described the April 24 dialogue as “very extensive, very productive and constructive” when he, Kayani and Karzai addressed reporters.

The Pakistani foreign ministry said the ‘Trilateral Core Group’ meeting was held in a “positive and constructive atmosphere” and that it emphasised a “peaceful, stable and united Afghanistan is vital for peace and economic development in the region”. The statement also said a “sustainable reconciliation process was essential for the achievement of shared objectives.”

In Kabul, the Presidential Palace issued a statement that termed the talks “fruitful”.

Tensions heightened following the claim made by Afghan officials last month stating Pakistani forces fired rockets into Afghan border areas in the eastern Kunar province.

This was followed by some more allegations levelled by President Karzai. “Taliban leaders who want to join the peace process are either killed or arrested in Pakistan,” said the Afghan president while addressing a gathering at his palace.

An unidentified senior Pakistani official in turn accused Karzai of being the biggest impediment to the peace process. The foreign ministry made a futile attempt to cover the damage, but the Afghan foreign ministry announced just two days later that a visit by its army officers to Pakistan in order to conduct joint exercises had been cancelled – a decision viewed by Islamabad as “overreaction”.

Last month’s meeting between Kayani and Kerry in Jordan was the first attempt made by Washington to discuss how Pak-Afghan tensions could be reduced. Kerry then travelled to Kabul and an Afghan official confirmed to The Express Tribune there had been a discussion on a possible meeting between Pakistani and Afghan leaders. Following this, David Pearce, acting special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, and senior US military personnel visited Pakistan separately to reduce tensions between the two countries.

Although the trilateral meeting was described as fruitful by all sides, it remains to be seen what the three countries will now do to further the elusive reconciliation process and encourage the Taliban to join the talks.

A credible Afghan source said Karzai’s team at the Brussels dialogue urged Pakistan to ‘present some Taliban leaders, currently in Pakistan’s custody, for talks with Afghanistan.’

Although the source did not mention a name, The Express Tribune has learnt Mulla Abdul Ghani Baradar, second-in-command to only Mulla Omar himself, is on the top of the list of militants wanted freed by Kabul. Afghan officials are confident Baradar can play a key role in the reconciliation and also encourage others to join the process.

“This had been a longstanding demand in talks with Pakistan; after the process was broken, Kabul now has the opportunity to take up the issue again,” said the source.

Pakistani officials, however, are surprised by some of Kabul’s demands, especially since Kabul expects Islamabad to force Taliban leaders to sit face to face with Afghanistan. There is no doubt Pakistan has some influence over the Taliban and can facilitate the peace process, but Islamabad is not in a position to compel the Taliban.

Kabul will have to realise the sensitivity and limitations of Islamabad’s role in the reconciliation process and that illogical demands will not be helpful. Taliban have so far ignored all of Pakistan’s appeals, including one by former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to enter the intra-Afghan dialogue.

Taliban insist the US is the real party in the conflict, and the onus falls on them to show a serious attitude in finding a political solution to years of conflict.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27^th, 2013.