So, the US want to have permanent bases in Afghanistan & the war will go on forever?
In comments to media outlets, former prime minister of Taliban-run Afghanistan Ahmad Ahmadzai insisted that the Taliban agreed to take part in direct peace talks with the US two years ago, requiring only that the US set a date for a full pullout from Afghanistan.
Indeed, Ahmadzai claims, the Taliban didn’t even require a certain date of their own choosing, saying it was entirely up to the US to set a date and that the date simply needed to be set publicly. They reportedly reiterated this offer a few days ago.
They also, according to Ahmadzai, agreed to a US demand that they sever all ties with al-Qaeda, insisting that such a move would not be an issue to such talks. It does not appear that they agreed to US demands to disarm and submit to the Karzai government, however.
And of course the US has no intention of setting a date for ending the war in Afghanistan, with Pentagon officials openly dismissing the “end of 2014″ deadline set by NATO as unrealistic and President Karzai confirming talks for “permanent” US bases. That is a large part of why, ten years in, the war is still going on, with three more NATO soldiers slain today.
Re: Taliban Okays Peace Talks If US Sets Pullout Date
When the official Taliban spokesperson makes such a comment I will believe it. The Taliban are not to be trusted and negotiating with them will only make the life of the Average Afghan worse off than 10 years ago. These negotiations are a bad idea. You are basically saying for 10 years you fought the same group. Couldn't defeat them and now because you are losing the war you wish to negotiate.
Re: Taliban Okays Peace Talks If US Sets Pullout Date
And of course the US has no intention of setting a date for ending the war in Afghanistan, with Pentagon officials openly dismissing the “end of 2014″ deadline set by NATO as unrealistic and President Karzai confirming talks for “permanent” US bases. That is a large part of why, ten years in, the war is still going on, with three more NATO soldiers slain today.
Isn't it just confirmation of what we believe anyways?
When the official Taliban spokesperson makes such a comment I will believe it. The Taliban are not to be trusted and negotiating with them will only make the life of the Average Afghan worse off than 10 years ago. These negotiations are a bad idea. You are basically saying for 10 years you fought the same group. Couldn't defeat them and now because you are losing the war you wish to negotiate.
I was under impression you were against this war, why not negotiate?
Re: Taliban Okays Peace Talks If US Sets Pullout Date
When the official Taliban spokesperson makes such a comment I will believe it. The Taliban are not to be trusted and negotiating with them will only make the life of the Average Afghan worse off than 10 years ago. These negotiations are a bad idea. You are basically saying for 10 years you fought the same group. Couldn't defeat them and now because you are losing the war you wish to negotiate.
Yes, that pretty much sums it up. Britain certainly can't afford an open ended comitment in Afghanistan. Its a tribal society, and in some ways the Taliban reflect Pashtun tribal culture. If they keep AlQaeda and the Arabs out, then I see no problem. But they need to get rid of the Arabs, Chechens, Uzbeks etc.
Re: Taliban Okays Peace Talks If US Sets Pullout Date
Isn't it just confirmation of what we believe anyways?
I was under impression you were against this war, why not negotiate?
I am against the war. But that by no means I am pro-Taliban. They are not nice people to put it lightly. They are evil incarnate. Negotiating with them will make the life of my colleagues and friends here in Afghanistan much much worse. After the Taliban come back to power there will be reprisals against the minorities in Afghanistan. You are going back to a civil war. That does not benefit anybody. Least of all Pakistan.
You do realize Khan that Arabs and Chechens make up the Taliban. They are not an Afghan only group.
Re: Taliban Okays Peace Talks If US Sets Pullout Date
I am against the war. But that by no means I am pro-Taliban. They are not nice people to put it lightly. They are evil incarnate. Negotiating with them will make the life of my colleagues and friends here in Afghanistan much much worse. After the Taliban come back to power there will be reprisals against the minorities in Afghanistan. You are going back to a civil war. That does not benefit anybody. Least of all Pakistan.
You do realize Khan that Arabs and Chechens make up the Taliban. They are not an Afghan only group.
If a wrong step can be corrected by taking one step back then it must be done, US has taken many steps back in the past. By settling down issues in Afghanistan, Pakistan will be able to focus on itself (hopefully). BTW US differentiates "foreigners" as AlQaida and locals as Taliban if I am not wrong, hence the demand to cut ties with Alqaida.