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US to open direct Taliban talks | US to open direct Taliban talks |
(35 minutes later) | |
The US is to open direct peace talks with the Taliban, senior White House officials have announced. | The US is to open direct peace talks with the Taliban, senior White House officials have announced. |
The first meeting is due to take place in the coming days in Doha, Qatar, where the Taliban have just opened their first official overseas office. | The first meeting is due to take place in the coming days in Doha, Qatar, where the Taliban have just opened their first official overseas office. |
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said his government is also sending a delegation to Qatar to talk to the Taliban. | Afghan President Hamid Karzai said his government is also sending a delegation to Qatar to talk to the Taliban. |
The announcement came on the day Nato handed over security for the whole of Afghanistan to government forces. | The announcement came on the day Nato handed over security for the whole of Afghanistan to government forces. |
US officials said prisoner exchanges would be one topic for discussion with the Taliban, but the first weeks will mainly be used to explore each other's agendas. | US officials said prisoner exchanges would be one topic for discussion with the Taliban, but the first weeks will mainly be used to explore each other's agendas. |
However, the talks are on condition that the Taliban renounce violence, break ties with al-Qaeda and respect the Afghan constitution - including the rights of women and minorities. | However, the talks are on condition that the Taliban renounce violence, break ties with al-Qaeda and respect the Afghan constitution - including the rights of women and minorities. |
US officials said this was the first step on a very long road, adding that there was no guarantee of success. | US officials said this was the first step on a very long road, adding that there was no guarantee of success. |
Although senior US officials describe the latest move as a milestone on the road to peace, others will feel it is nearer to treason, says BBC North America Editor Mark Mardell. | Although senior US officials describe the latest move as a milestone on the road to peace, others will feel it is nearer to treason, says BBC North America Editor Mark Mardell. |
'Puppets of the US' | 'Puppets of the US' |
On Tuesday, the Taliban issued a statement saying that one of the main aims of their Doha office was "to meet Afghans". | On Tuesday, the Taliban issued a statement saying that one of the main aims of their Doha office was "to meet Afghans". |
The statement said they would also make contact with UN, regional and international organisations as well as non-governmental institutions. | The statement said they would also make contact with UN, regional and international organisations as well as non-governmental institutions. |
After opening the "political bureau" in Doha alongside Qatari officials, Taliban representative Mohammed Naeem told reporters the group wanted good relations with Afghanistan's neighbouring countries. | After opening the "political bureau" in Doha alongside Qatari officials, Taliban representative Mohammed Naeem told reporters the group wanted good relations with Afghanistan's neighbouring countries. |
In the past, the Taliban have always refused to meet President Karzai or his government, dismissing them as puppets of the US. | In the past, the Taliban have always refused to meet President Karzai or his government, dismissing them as puppets of the US. |
In Afghanistan itself on Tuesday, Nato handed over security for the whole of the country to the government for the first time since the Taliban were ousted in 2001. | In Afghanistan itself on Tuesday, Nato handed over security for the whole of the country to the government for the first time since the Taliban were ousted in 2001. |
At a ceremony in Kabul, President Hamid Karzai said that from Wednesday "our own security and military forces will lead all the security activities". | At a ceremony in Kabul, President Hamid Karzai said that from Wednesday "our own security and military forces will lead all the security activities". |
The ceremony saw the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) hand over control of the last 95 districts in a transition process that began in 2011. | The ceremony saw the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) hand over control of the last 95 districts in a transition process that began in 2011. |
International troops are to remain in Afghanistan until the end of 2014, providing military back-up when needed. | International troops are to remain in Afghanistan until the end of 2014, providing military back-up when needed. |
President Karzai has expressed anger at previous US and Qatari efforts to kick-start the peace process without properly consulting his government, reports the BBC's Bilal Sarwary from Kabul. | President Karzai has expressed anger at previous US and Qatari efforts to kick-start the peace process without properly consulting his government, reports the BBC's Bilal Sarwary from Kabul. |
There is also concern within the presidential palace that the Taliban will use the office in Qatar to raise funds, adds our correspondent. | There is also concern within the presidential palace that the Taliban will use the office in Qatar to raise funds, adds our correspondent. |
The US has previously tried to negotiate with the Taliban, but never held direct talks. | |
In March 2012 the Taliban said it had suspended preliminary negotiations with Washington, citing US efforts to involve the Afghan government as a key stumbling block. | |
The Taliban set up a diplomatic presence in Qatar in January 2012 and US officials held preliminary discussions there. |