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Afghanistan war: Taliban attend landmark peace talks Afghanistan war: Taliban attend landmark peace talks
(about 4 hours later)
Russia is hosting a landmark international meeting on Afghanistan aimed at kick-starting peace talks after decades of war.Russia is hosting a landmark international meeting on Afghanistan aimed at kick-starting peace talks after decades of war.
It is the first time representatives of the Taliban militant group have attended such an event.It is the first time representatives of the Taliban militant group have attended such an event.
Russia's foreign minister said their presence, along with members of Afghanistan's High Peace Council, could help pave the way for direct talks.Russia's foreign minister said their presence, along with members of Afghanistan's High Peace Council, could help pave the way for direct talks.
About a dozen other countries, including the US, are also attending.About a dozen other countries, including the US, are also attending.
"We discussed the subject of direct talks with the Taliban and asked them to choose the place and the starting time," said a High Peace Council spokesman, Russia's RIA news agency reported."We discussed the subject of direct talks with the Taliban and asked them to choose the place and the starting time," said a High Peace Council spokesman, Russia's RIA news agency reported.
The Taliban have said the meeting is "not about negotiating with any side". Western officials and the Afghan government view the Moscow talks with some suspicion - some fear it could derail other efforts at negotiations.The Taliban have said the meeting is "not about negotiating with any side". Western officials and the Afghan government view the Moscow talks with some suspicion - some fear it could derail other efforts at negotiations.
Countries also present in Moscow include China, Pakistan, Iran, India and Central Asian states.Countries also present in Moscow include China, Pakistan, Iran, India and Central Asian states.
So how big a deal is this meeting?So how big a deal is this meeting?
Observers do not expect quick results from the Moscow talks - previous attempts at brokering a peace process have all failed.Observers do not expect quick results from the Moscow talks - previous attempts at brokering a peace process have all failed.
But the fact that the Taliban are in the same room as Afghan delegates, in Russia, with the US also in attendance is seen as significant.But the fact that the Taliban are in the same room as Afghan delegates, in Russia, with the US also in attendance is seen as significant.
Russia and the Taliban, for example, are historic foes, although they have begun talking in recent years.Russia and the Taliban, for example, are historic foes, although they have begun talking in recent years.
US and Afghan forces have been fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan for more than a decade. And the US and Russia are former Cold War enemies who are still mistrustful of each other.US and Afghan forces have been fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan for more than a decade. And the US and Russia are former Cold War enemies who are still mistrustful of each other.
'It's triumph for Russian diplomacy' 'It's a triumph for Russian diplomacy'
By Dawood Azami, BBC World ServiceBy Dawood Azami, BBC World Service
The Moscow meeting highlights Russia's return to the diplomatic forefront in Afghan affairs.The Moscow meeting highlights Russia's return to the diplomatic forefront in Afghan affairs.
It's the first time that Moscow has invited the Afghan Taliban, who sent a high-level delegation. Both the US and the Afghan government don't want Russia to lead such an initiative, known as the "Moscow Format".It's the first time that Moscow has invited the Afghan Taliban, who sent a high-level delegation. Both the US and the Afghan government don't want Russia to lead such an initiative, known as the "Moscow Format".
But despite reservations by some, all 11 countries invited by Moscow are participating in different ways. Again, this is a first and unprecedented.But despite reservations by some, all 11 countries invited by Moscow are participating in different ways. Again, this is a first and unprecedented.
Although no significant breakthroughs are expected, bringing all the relevant players under one roof is a huge success for Russian diplomacy.Although no significant breakthroughs are expected, bringing all the relevant players under one roof is a huge success for Russian diplomacy.
Russia is in a unique position to host such a meeting as it is the only country on talking terms with all players.Russia is in a unique position to host such a meeting as it is the only country on talking terms with all players.
Who are the Taliban?Who are the Taliban?
The Taliban emerged in the early 1990s following the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, shortly before the demise of the Soviet Union.The Taliban emerged in the early 1990s following the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, shortly before the demise of the Soviet Union.
The militants went on to rule Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, until they were driven from power by US-led troops following the 9/11 attacks, which the US blamed on al-Qaeda militants who were hosted by the Taliban.The militants went on to rule Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, until they were driven from power by US-led troops following the 9/11 attacks, which the US blamed on al-Qaeda militants who were hosted by the Taliban.
The Taliban's power and reach have surged since foreign combat troops left Afghanistan in 2014.The Taliban's power and reach have surged since foreign combat troops left Afghanistan in 2014.
They say their international status will be further strengthened by going to Moscow.They say their international status will be further strengthened by going to Moscow.
Research carried out by the BBC in January suggested that the Taliban were openly active in almost 70% of Afghanistan at the time, while being in control of 14 districts, or 4% of the country.Research carried out by the BBC in January suggested that the Taliban were openly active in almost 70% of Afghanistan at the time, while being in control of 14 districts, or 4% of the country.
Are there other peace moves?Are there other peace moves?
The US is engaged in its own direct talks with the Taliban and attending these meetings in Moscow is significant.The US is engaged in its own direct talks with the Taliban and attending these meetings in Moscow is significant.
It turned down an invitation to the first meeting Russia hosted last year. But this time the US said a representative from its embassy in Moscow would attend to "observe the discussions".It turned down an invitation to the first meeting Russia hosted last year. But this time the US said a representative from its embassy in Moscow would attend to "observe the discussions".
The Taliban sent a five-member delegation from its political office based in Qatar.The Taliban sent a five-member delegation from its political office based in Qatar.
It emerged in July that Taliban officials secretly met a senior US diplomat in Qatar. Another round of talks were held last month.It emerged in July that Taliban officials secretly met a senior US diplomat in Qatar. Another round of talks were held last month.
And there have been other signs of change. On Thursday, Pakistan confirmed it had freed a senior Taliban leader, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, from jail last month at the request of the US.And there have been other signs of change. On Thursday, Pakistan confirmed it had freed a senior Taliban leader, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, from jail last month at the request of the US.
"He was released to provide impetus to the peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan," said a Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman."He was released to provide impetus to the peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan," said a Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman.
In June the Afghan government and the Taliban agreed a three-day ceasefire to coincide with the end of the Ramadan fasting month, Eid.In June the Afghan government and the Taliban agreed a three-day ceasefire to coincide with the end of the Ramadan fasting month, Eid.
How costly has the war been?How costly has the war been?
Given the high frequency and spread of Taliban violence, the Afghan security forces are overstretched and, in some cases, overwhelmed.Given the high frequency and spread of Taliban violence, the Afghan security forces are overstretched and, in some cases, overwhelmed.
Afghan forces have been fighting hard to stop the Taliban's expansion. But their casualty rate remains alarmingly high and appears to be increasing.Afghan forces have been fighting hard to stop the Taliban's expansion. But their casualty rate remains alarmingly high and appears to be increasing.
Civilian deaths and injuries have also hit record highs. Casualty figures for the conflict, which began in 2001, are the highest since the UN started keeping records in 2009.Civilian deaths and injuries have also hit record highs. Casualty figures for the conflict, which began in 2001, are the highest since the UN started keeping records in 2009.