Report: Taliban, Afghan govt in talks to end war

[dud]

"Secret talks aimed at ending the war in Afghanistan have begun between representatives of the Taliban and the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, The Washington Post reported on its website Tuesday night.

Afghan and Arab sources cited by the Post said they believe for the first time that Taliban representatives are fully authorized to speak for the Quetta Shura, the Afghan Taliban organization based in Pakistan, and its leader, Mohammad Omar, according to the newspaper. The sources requested anonymity to discuss the development."


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101006/ap_on_go_ot/us_taliban_afghan_talks



Reports have arisen in the past of "talks" ... but this is the first that I've heard that Taliban reps are now fully authorized to speak for their leaders. If true, I wonder if the drone attacks had anything to do with the Taliban's (apparent) willingness to talk?

 

[Lemon law]

As I recall the last time such talks were held was circa 2007 when the talks were brokered by Saudi Arabia.

Somewhat the question becomes, how much would the Taliban have to change to come into compliance with the Afghan Constitution? Making one big issue perhaps woman's rights.

And the other question becomes, will Nato try to torpedo the talks?

 

[Number1]

As I recall the last time such talks were held was circa 2007 when the talks were brokered by Saudi Arabia.

Somewhat the question becomes, how much would the Taliban have to change to come into compliance with the Afghan Constitution? Making one big issue perhaps woman's rights.

And the other question becomes, will Nato try to torpedo the talks?

Women's right?

How about renounce terorism and go on with your lives and we will gladely go home?

 

[Craig234]

I'm a bit suspicious of how good an agreement would come out of this - rather, it seems the US determination to leave might be leaving the corrupt regime we put in place of Karazei, who is described as more organized crime than democratic leader, might be a bit desperate and willing to make a lot of compromises to avoid the fate of South Vietnam when we left there. I'm suspicious of his looking for a few narrow things in his interest rather than the interests of the Afghan people. This is just speculation, but that's what I suspect.

We used to tolerate the Taliban in charge pretty well - Bush was giving them $50 million the year 9/11 happened as I recall. The Afghan people are in danger, I suspect.

Before someone says 'those people want it', remember the Taliban always had under 10% public approval. What they had was military organization and weapons to take power.

That's like a 6% to 8% approval rating group in the US - that's probably just more than the KKK - taking control of the country by force.

This is a tough issue, given the American people's exhaustion for doing anything.

The left is tired of the military action, the killings and the cost of spending large sums for war, and the right is not too interested in war without sexy victory and spoils.

It does seem there is not a clear plan for really fixing things, just holding off the Taliban some.

History does seem to be repeating itself, as the west has repeatedly gotten involved in Afghanistan for a selfish agenda - oil, cold war - and then left in in bad shape.

Afghanistan seems to have been a lot better off in ways several decades ago with a stronger middle class society.

 

[Scotteq]

Taliban Plan: ..declare peace, wait for the Americans to leave, regroup, and pick up right where we left off except stronger for the rest, for the time, for the experience, and for the US being unwilling/unable to return after they're gone...

Afghan Government Plan: ...we're about done cleaning out the coffers, anyhow. So cash in, and make sure any Peace Plan includes a plane ticket out. I hear Monaco is nice. Kinda close to the Middle East, though. Might have to take up that kind offer to go live on a ranch in Texas instead..."

US Administration plan: ...broker a peace agreement, and leave. Blame Bush for starting the whole mess. Don't forget to buy that Ranch next to his. Watch the show...




Since the near term goals of the various parties are in near agreement, this should happen.

 

[Lemon law]

I really wonder how clueless Numbers1 must be as to say, "How about renounce terorism and go on with your lives and we will gladely go home"

First of all, the Taliban was the defacto Government of Afghanistan even post 911, and almost All of the Taliban were the sons of the Afghan people.

And then GWB&co from half a world away suddenly starts shooting anyone associated with the Taliban down on the streets like dogs, regardless if they had anything to do with 911 or not.

Then when GWB&co added insult to injury, by failing to bring anything to Afghanistan but violence, misery, chaos, and corruption, with his incompetent occupation on the cheap, the Taliban once again gained Afghan popular support.

And if Nato violently opposes the Taliban and kills them on sight, why should not the Taliban violently oppose Nato? And since the Taliban are a little short of tanks and planes, they use terrorism as their tactic. Or do you think only civilized people use Tanks, planes, and WMD, and only terrorists are uncivilized, brutal, and repressive?
If so you would have so liked the Japanese actions in the early 20'th century.

Please don't assume I support the Taliban, but at least I understand something about their thinking and Nato failings, and demonizing them and killing them has gotten Nato nowhere in close to a decade other than closer to defeat.