KABUL (SW) – Analysts have expressed cautious optimism in connection with the U.S. efforts for resumption of peace talks in Afghanistan.
Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, has resumed efforts for reconciliation after a gap of nearly two months. “Met w/ General Milley, new Chairman of JCS. He knows #Afghanistan well. We agreed that a political settlement that safeguards the homeland from terrorist threats, allows us to reduce the burden of war & protects two decades of progress in Afghanistan is in our national interest”, he said in a latest tweet on Oct. 19.
Analyst Muhibullah Sharif told Salam Watandar that the cancellation of peace talks few weeks back was a strategic move by the U.S. that aims to reduce its military presence and financial expenditures here. He added the international community as a whole does not want to be engaged in Afghanistan for too long, and the recent trips by the U.S. envoy are in that connection.
Seprately, the Taliban’s Qatar office spokesman, Suhail Shaheen, has said in a media interview that the insurgents are ready to talk to the Afghan government after reaching an agreement with the U.S.
A section of Pakistani media has reported that Islamabad has exerted pressure on the Taliban to ceasefire during the peace talks.
Political commentator, Waheed Mujda, said in this regard that the peace talks are likely to resume after results for the presidential polls are announced in Afghanistan. He said Khalilzad’s trip to a number of capitals is aimed at discussions and exchange of views on the previous and future plans. He said the Taliban are not ready for ceasefire or talks with the Afghan government.
Meanwhile, President Ashraf Ghani has said he wants to start peace talks with the Taliban as soon as the recent presidential election result is clear, according to the Nikkei Asian Review. In an interview in Tokyo, he said: “"If I'm [re-]elected president, then this will start in week one to restart the process."
Ghani said that Taliban could be incorporated into the country as a political party. Within the current constitution, the "Taliban need to live, wake up, and understand that the majority of Afghan people will embrace them if they denounce violence," he said.
The president also said that peace with the Taliban needs to ensure security for the Afghan population. This requires clear evidence that the Taliban is not linked to international terrorist groups, he said, as well as an end to violence, involvement in the drug trade and separate relations with the neighboring Pakistan.
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