Monday, July 25, 2011 – According to a senior member of the Afghan High Peace Council, talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban leadership would be underway in two months.
Members of the Afghan High Peace Council are optimistic in talks with the Taliban and are saying that there has been some progress in this regard.
A senior member in the High Peace Council said, although we have reached to an agreement in regards to the venue of peace talks but we are working to arrange peace talks with the Taliban inside Afghanistan.
The member further added, the High Peace Council, Kabul-Islamabad joint commission and the Taliban should decide about the place where the talks should be held.
A top member of the peace council, Mohammad Ismail Qasemyar said, “we will witness the primary negotiations in the future.”
Mr. Qasemyar further added, cooperation in the joint commission of Afghanistan and Pakistan’s civilian government and international efforts have paved the ground for the Afghan government to discuss peace with the Taliban leadership.
He also said, “the peace process in a crossroads where the situation is challenging, is fragile and sensitive.”
In regards to the venue of peace talks, Mr. Qasemyar said, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have vowed to provide venue and host the talks.
Afghan peace talks with the Taliban militants is in progress and in the meantime, Afghan security forces have already begun to hand over security responsibility for number of relatively peaceful areas during the first phase of security transition.
So far, Afghan security forces have received security responsibilities in six regions including Mazar-e-Sharif, Herat, Lashkargah, Mehterlam, Bamyan and Panshir provinces.
