U.S.-Taliban Backdoor Talks

I noticed when a trial balloon was floated but this is the first report confirming that discussions are proceeding. It's dated 11/24/09.

On Monday Richard Holbrooke, who is President Barack Obama's special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, said that the U.S. is now involved in indirect discussions with the Afghan Taliban, the Daily Times of Pakistan reported.[1]

-- The Pakistani newspaper Dawn said Tuesday that "Saudi and Pakistani intelligence agencies" are acting as intermediaries.[2]

-- An unnamed source involved in the secret negotiations said that "one of the main objectives of the recent visit to Pakistan by CIA chief Leon Panetta was to assess progress in the back-channel negotiations," Azaz Syed reported.

-- The source named four figures involved in the negotiations.

-- The paper also reported that "Reliable sources also told Dawn that Mullah Umar, the chief of Afghan Taliban, has nominated his shadow foreign minister, Agha Motasam, to negotiate with the Americans.

It's being referred to as "a plan to woo the Taliban."

Based upon what the U.S. holds dear and what the Taliban holds dear, I frankly can't think of anything available to agree about. In any event, the U.S. Embassy and others strongly deny that any meetings are taking place. In fact, the denials have been so strong I tend to think there's something to the report.

[Add.] According to another source, US-Taliban talks have been in progress for six months.

The indirect talks involve officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Britain, and top Afghan Taliban leadership, including the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen Chief and the son-in-law of Osama Bin Laden’s former mentor.

The Afghan Taliban have adopted stance that they would only be able to guarantee peace in Afghanistan if the US undertakes complete pullout of its forces from the war-torn country.

According to Taliban sources, there is expectation of a positive outcome from the ongoing talks. Abdullah Anas of Al-Jazair is playing the role of an arbitrator in the ongoing tripartite talks.

According to sources, the Taliban have asked for a definite time-frame for US pull out from Afghanistan. In return, they have guaranteed that they would ensure peace and tranquillity in the country and would not allow their soil to be used for terrorism. The source say that the first round of talks between the two sides is over and the next round of talks is expected to be held after Eidul Azha. [my bold]

Therefore, despite the denials, there's more evidence that talks are ongoing.

Interestingly, it's reported that the Taliban asked for a specific "time-frame for US pull out from Afghanistan" and President Obama seemingly granted that request by declaring a mid-2011 departure date when recently announcing he was sending reinforcements. Meanwhile Secretary Gates and others in the administration are denying that the mid-2011 date is firm.

Nonetheless, the Taliban have their requested time-frame and will presumably guarantee peace and tranquility until then.