Prisoners swap: Afghan Taliban suspend talks with US

Washington considering to swap five Taliban prisoners for Bowe Bergdahl.

ISLAMABAD: The Afghan Taliban said on Sunday that they have temporarily suspended talks with the United States for the exchange of prisoners due to the “current complex political situation” in Afghanistan.

US Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl was taken captive by the Taliban in 2009 when he walked off an American base in eastern Afghanistan. Last month, the Taliban sent a fresh video to Bergdahl’s family in the United States that proved he is still alive, prompting officials to consider new terms for a swap.

A Taliban spokesman confirmed the video was part of negotiations with the US.

“The leadership of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan had tasked its Political Office to take steps for the exchange of their prisoners in Guantanamo Bay with one American soldier under our custody through Qatar,” Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement.

“The Political Office started work on the possible swap and some progress was made through mediation that includes the release of the video to prove that the prisoner is alive.”

“However, the leadership of the Islamic Emirate has decided to suspend the process for some time due to the current complex political situation. The process will remain suspended until next decision is taken,” the Taliban spokesman said.

Sources say that the Americans wanted to release five Taliban prisoners from Guantanamo Bay in exchange for Bergdahl.

Negotiators confirm talks

Afghan government-backed negotiators and Taliban leaders confirmed that peace talks had taken place in the UAE and said both have agreed to initiate formal talks inside and outside Afghanistan.

The Taliban spokesman recently disowned the peace efforts led by Mutasim Agha Jan and said the group has not assigned him any responsibility.

A Taliban leader said that a high-ranking delegation of his group met with senior members of the Afghan High Peace Council recently in the UAE and both sides agreed to analyse all dimensions of the issue deeply and to find a permanent solution instead of working on interim formats.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2014.