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| India-Pakistan |
| Baitullah Mehsud appoints Faqir to head truce talks with government |
| 2008-01-29 |
| Militant commander Maulvi Faqir Muhammad was named on Monday the ‘political face’ of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan for the purpose of holding talks with the government and negotiate a truce, a spokesman said. “Ameer Baitullah Mehsud has authorised Maulvi Faqir Muhammad to hold talks with the government on behalf of the new organisation (formed last year),” purported Taliban spokesman Maulvi Umar told Daily Times from an undisclosed location. Maulvi Faqir leads Taliban militants in Bajaur district, overlooking Afghanistan’s Kunar province. Umar did not say what prompted Baitullah to name Faqir as ‘top negotiator’ with the government at a time when the new army chief seems decided to go all-out against the militants be they in Swat, Waziristan or Darra Adamkhel. The spokesman said the Taliban were “ready for talks” with the government. He, however, did not give details. Security sources were taken by surprise by the announcement saying “Baitullah named a wrong choice for the job” as Faqir “never budges an inch from his position, and, in the given situation, how can he be a successful negotiator?” |
| Posted by:Fred |