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| Afghanistan |
| Mulla Omar backs Afghan peace talks |
| 2009-03-16 |
| Taliban chief Mulla Omar has given his approval for talks aimed at ending the war in Afghanistan and allowed his representatives to attend the Saudi-sponsored peace negotiations. "Mulla Omar has given the green light to talks," said one of the mediators, Abdullah Anas, a former friend of Osama bin Laden who used to fight in Afghanistan but now lives in London. One of those negotiating for the Afghan government confirmed: "It's extremely sensitive, but we have been in contact, both with Mulla Omar's direct representatives and commanders from the front line." The breakthrough emerged after President Barack Obama admitted that the US-led forces were not winning the war in Afghanistan and called for negotiations with "moderate Taliban"."A big, big step has happened," Anas said. "For the first time, there is a language of... peace on both sides." His words were echoed by Qayyum Karzai, the brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who has been attending talks on his behalf. "I have been meeting with Taliban for the last five days and I can tell you Obama's words have created enormous optimism," said Qayyum Karzai. "There is no other way left but talks. All sides know that more fighting is not the way," he said. As Britain and the US have increased troop numbers over the past two years, security has worsened, leading many to doubt the wisdom of sending in more. A Sunday Times poll showed that 64 per cent of respondents favoured talking to the Taliban to achieve a deal. Some 69 per cent said the aim of stabilising Afghanistan was not sufficiently worthwhile to risk the lives of British troops and 64 per cent thought the war could never be won. Although observers question why the Taliban would agree to talks when they appeared to have the upper hand in the conflict, Anas said its leaders knew they could not retake power without a bloodbath. "Taliban are in a strong position now, but that doesn't mean they can control the state," he said. "They are well aware that it's a different situation to 1996 when they swept to power because Afghans saw them as bringing peace," he added. Britain is also backing talks with the Taliban that could lead to their inclusion in the Afghan government and is pushing for a "reconciliation czar" to coordinate efforts. "Economic development and a workable reconciliation strategy are as crucial as boots on the ground when it comes to dismantling the insurgency," said British Foreign Secretary David Miliband. |
| Posted by:Fred |