Delegates from both sides of the Moscow talks on Afghanistan have been upbeat in comments
to reporters, saying that a number of issues were agreed upon, and that
the talks were definitely a success. The next round of these talks will
be held Qatar.
While a lot of the specifics aren’t clear, the talks themselves included
a number of Afghan politicians, including high-ranking opposition
figures, and the Taliban. Topics that were discussed included removing
Taliban leaders from UN blacklists, release of Taliban prisoners, and a
recognition of the Taliban political office in Qatar.
While US officials were not included in the talks, Khalilzad reportedly
viewed the talks as a positive step. The US has not commented directly
on it, but has generally opposed any talks that Russia is involved in.
The Ghani government is still angry about not being included in the talks, saying the Moscow talks will not be allowed to have any impact on the peace process, and that only his government can make these final deals.
Ghani may want to consider booking an early ticket out of Dodge, with that negotiating tactic.
He bas no choice. He does what US tells him. But three other conferences on Afghanistan are being held by Russia. China and Pakistan. Each one held in the three countries’ capitals.
Being a little more diplomatic towards his opponents is in Ghani’s best interests, nonetheless. His life is more in their hands than the U.S..
This is fooony!
Two of the active players from the war making side, us and afghan govt, are not involved. Taliban is involved and has recognized reality that it is useless to try to talk to those two parties.
Th question now becomes as to what can be delivered w/o these two parties, or whether the process will be obstructed by those two parties.
This is not a gathering that is opposed to
US – Taliban talks in Doha. Head of US negotiating team, Gen Khalilzad, appreciafes what has been done in Moscow. The only party not participating in any talks is Afghan government. The reason is simple. Afghan tribes (there is no real divisikn now between Taliban-takeover participating tribes and other tribes. They are now united tribal group, that wants to talk to US, and the only way they will talk to Kabul govdrnment is after US agrees to pullout. Trump’s proposal to withdraw half was part of Doha negotiations. And Taliban are not rigid — they will meet US half way also — by Moscow meeting where Taliban negotiators were joined by many Afghan political parties, former President Karzai included. So, this is a proof that Taliban has many political parties willing to work with them, and vicee versa. That Taliban and political parties in Moscow were able to make joint deciisions on future of Afghanistan. So, Taliban has met US half way, after US announced half of troups withdrawal. Meaning, work with political parties, and will include everyone in deciding the future. Among decisions made is the committment to neutrality to prevent Afghanistan become part of impdrial games or victim of proxy wars. It is now up to Doha proccess and US to take it further. It will go slowly as politicians are against withdrawal while Afghan negotiators are not going to have any negotiations with Kabul until US withdraws.
Thanks-God willing, we will finally get the hell out of there.
I just worry that some body, ie permanent war mongers in the pay of the neocon/mic will find a way to screw this up.
Our hero, Patraeus, has already come out against it and cannot understand why we are pulling out!?