Afghanistan pins hope on U.S.-Taliban talks

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AT-KABUL: The government of Afghanistan is optimistic to the direct talks between Taliban representatives and the US diplomats, because it believes such dialogues would help negotiations between Kabul administration and the militants.

Atta Salim, deputy chief of the High Peace Council has told the Guardian that this (US-Taliban talks) was a strategic development.

“Our prediction was that Taliban will reach this round. We were prepared and will attend the initial meetings and will talk to the armed Taliban on behalf of the people of Afghanistan,” said Salim.

The Guardian has quoted a Taliban source in the Quetta council as saying that the fourth round of talks between Taliban and US officials would begin in September. The source who has wished anonymity because of the sentiment of the issue, has said that the Taliban would hold talks will the Afghan officials after the September dialogues with US officials.

The source has called the previous talks “useful”, hoping that the fourth round that is also scheduled to be held in Doha, would have developments.

But Taliban’s official spokesman has rejected the report.

The US secretary of state has recently asked Saudi to help Afghan peace process particularly the Eid festival ceasefire.

Political experts say that any agreement between Taliban and the United States would help the peace program in Afghanistan.

“I believe that this is a strategic step towards the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned talks,” said Khaled Sadat, a political analyst.