More Momentum for Taliban Talks

In a marked shift from earlier positions, members of the Pak-Afghan jirga gave up ‘renunciation of violence’ as a pre-condition for negotiations as they formally announced their decision to hold talks with the Taliban. Following the two-day talks, the jirga gai issued a 12-point declaration which emphasized the “urgent and imperative need of dialogue and negotiations with the opposition groups in both countries with a view to finding a peaceful settlement of the ongoing conflict, and upholding the supremacy of the constitutions of both countries.” Owais Ghani, the governor of NWFP who led the Pakistani side of the jirga clarified that the term ‘opposition groups’, referred to all terrorists who are parties to the conflict on both sides of the border. Committees will now be set up by members of the jirga to establish contact with militants, make recommendations to their respective governments, oversee implementation of the peace talks and to improve bilateral relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Taliban reacted negatively to the prospect of peace talks: "This jirga was founded by the Americans. It has no power, no respect," Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, said by satellite telephone from an undisclosed location. "We will not hold any dialogue while foreign troops commanded by the Americans are in our country," he said. Until now, the Americans had remained ambiguous about potential peace talks with the Taliban but a recent WSJ report indicated greater willingness on the part of the U.S. to directly participate in talks if the Taliban agreed to renounce violence. It is unclear what the US response would be to the outcome of the jirga, which seemed ready to engage with all groups. Meanwhile there is speculation about a growing rift between the Taliban and Al-Qaida, not just theologically but in terms of diverging ideologies and ambitions.  While the Taliban have mostly remained focused on Afghanistan and Pakistan, Al-Qaida has propagated a more pan-Islamist agenda.  In addition, according to a report, there has been internal debate within the Taliban where some members “possibly including Omar, have come out against targeting civilians, aid workers, and key infrastructure. Some reports also claim that Omar has severed all his ties with Al-Qaeda.