Last Updated: Thursday, 31 May 2012, 11:55 GMT  
Title Taliban ready to open political office, Afghan negotiator says
Publisher Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Country Afghanistan
Publication Date 18 December 2011
Cite as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Taliban ready to open political office, Afghan negotiator says, 18 December 2011, available at: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4f1431c323.html [accessed 31 May 2012]
DisclaimerThis is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Taliban ready to open political office, Afghan negotiator says

December 18, 2011

A key government negotiator says that the Taliban is willing to open an office outside of Afghanistan, a step toward holding face-to-face peace talks with the Afghan government.

Arsala Rahmani, a senior member of Afghanistan's High Peace Council, said that "senior Taliban commanders" had "agreed on a political office."

The move follows a series of failed attempts at talks with the group by Afghans and their Western allies.

In November, Afghan President Hamid Karzai ruled out negotiations with the Taliban until the insurgent group had an address at which he could contact them.

Last week, Afghanistan recalled its ambassador to Qatar hours after an Indian newspaper reported that arrangements had been put in place for a Taliban office in the Persian Gulf state.

The report alarmed Kabul, which expects to be the base for peace talks.

compiled from agency reports

Link to original story on RFE/RL website

Topics: Militias,

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