KABUL (SW) – The U.S. and the Taliban held talks for six days in Doha, Qatar with signs both sides are content with the outcome.
The talks were initially planned for two days, but apparent inclination for continuation on both sides extended it to six days. There has been, however, ambiguity in media reports surrounding these talks with conflicting reports as well as some rousing news.
Sources close to the Taliban claim the two have agreed upon an exit strategy for the foreign troops, ceasefire, intra-Afghan talks, and release of the Taliban prisoners as well as a possible interim government. But, both sides are cautious about speaking to the media on this.
Following the talks, Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, stressed the proposed peace talks ith the Taliban must include an intra-Afghan dialogue and comprehensive ceasefire. He tweeted that the talks would resume soon. “We have a number of issues left to work out. Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, and “everything” must include an intra-Afghan dialogue and comprehensive ceasefire”, he noted.
Meanwhile, the Taliban have said in a statement that in accordance with the agenda, this round of negotiations revolving around the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and other vital issues saw progress; but since issues are of critical nature and need comprehensive discussions therefore it was decided that talks about unsolved matters will resume in similar future meetings in order to find an appropriate and effective solution and also to share details of the meetings and receive guidance from their respective leaderships.
There was no mention of the ceasefire in the Taliban statement, which arises question about the secrecy surrounding these talks.
Waheed Mujda, a former Taliban-era official, said the two sides do not want to upset the Kabul government or spread fears. He asserted all reports in the media related to these talks are true. He said Khalilzad is visiting Kabul for talks related to ceasefire. He added the two sides would resume talks next month in Doha.
Meanwhile, deputy spokesman for the High Peace Council, Assadullah Zaeri, told Salam Watandar intra-Afghan talks, ceasefire and release of prisoner are the main points discussed in Doha.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Mike Pompeo, has stated that the U.S. is serious about pursuing peace, preventing Afghanistan from continuing to be a space for international terrorism and bringing forces home.
Former Afghan president, Mohammad Hamid Karzai has also welcomed the talks.
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