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Afghanistan suspends talks after US-Taliban move | Afghanistan suspends talks after US-Taliban move |
(35 minutes later) | |
Afghanistan has suspended talks under way in Kabul on a bilateral security agreement with the US. | Afghanistan has suspended talks under way in Kabul on a bilateral security agreement with the US. |
A spokesman for President Hamid Karzai said the decision was taken in protest over inconsistencies in proposed US direct talks with the Taliban. | A spokesman for President Hamid Karzai said the decision was taken in protest over inconsistencies in proposed US direct talks with the Taliban. |
The row centres on the name given to the Taliban office, which opened in Qatar on Tuesday, the spokesman said. | The row centres on the name given to the Taliban office, which opened in Qatar on Tuesday, the spokesman said. |
US-Afghan talks are to determine the nature of US military presence after foreign troops withdraw in 2014. | US-Afghan talks are to determine the nature of US military presence after foreign troops withdraw in 2014. |
President Karzai has been reluctant to sign a long-term agreement with the US amid fears it would undermine Afghan sovereignty - and how it might reflect on him during his remaining time in office, the BBC's Bilal Sarwary, in Kabul, reports. | |
'Name and flag' | |
On Wednesday, Afghanistan's National Security Council confirmed President Karzai had suspended the fourth round of the bilateral security agreement talks with the US government. | |
"There is a contradiction between what the US government says and what it does regarding Afghanistan peace talks," the president's spokesman Aimal Faizi said. | |
He added that the president disagreed with the name given to the new Taliban office in the Qatari capital, Doha. | |
"We oppose the title the 'Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan' because such a thing doesn't exist," Mr Faizi said. | |
"The US was aware of the president's stance." | "The US was aware of the president's stance." |
Afghan officials said Mr Karzai also objected to the Taliban flag flying over the new premises. | |
The move comes a day after the US announced it would open direct peace talks with the Taliban. | The move comes a day after the US announced it would open direct peace talks with the Taliban. |
US officials told reporters on Tuesday that the first formal meeting between US and Taliban representatives was expected to take place in Doha next week. | |
On the same day, President Karzai said he also intended to send delegates of Afghanistan's High Peace Council to Doha to engage in talks with the Taliban in the coming days. | |
Mr Karzai has expressed anger at previous US and Qatari efforts to kick-start the peace process without properly consulting his government, correspondents say. | |
There is also concern within the presidential palace that the Taliban will use the office in Qatar to raise funds. | |
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. |