By Pamela Constable Pamela Constable Foreign correspondent covering Afghanistan, Pakistan, South Asia, Latin America and immigration Email Bio Follow April 21 at 4:00 PM ISTANBUL — The sudden cancellation of eagerly awaited talks between Taliban officials and Afghan leaders, planned to begin last Friday in Qatar, seemed a stunning reversal in slow-going efforts to bring a peaceful negotiated end to the 17-year Afghan war.
“The Taliban were warm and cordial,” Sultan said Sunday by phone from Doha. “They said they wanted peace and that they were disappointed the talks had fallen apart.” “I know some people will say we were naive” to meet with the insurgents after formal talks were called off, Sultan said. “But they asked for our advice, they said they had made some mistakes and they said they were serious about wanting peace. They spoke with us for more than six hours. If we don’t engage with them in dialogue, we will just be continuing the same war that has gone on for 17 years.
“For peace to take root in Afghanistan, the traditional reliance on warlords to form governing coalitions and ensure stability must end,” said Daud Azimi, 37, a technology consultant in Germany. “Afghanistan’s silent majority — refugees, those who live abroad, those with no money, no weapons, no government officials in their back pockets — must be given a voice.”
These 'peace talks' have become a very bizarre charade...
Joke of the day extremists and women rights
😂😂😂 got to love the liberal media... yep the Taliban will definitely bow to the awesome power of the women's rights activists
I would love to learn but I’m not giving you any damn money. So much for informing the people
WaPo framing the Taliban as a consciencious group of savvy professionals
So glad we have them to pave the way forward for women.
Are these the worst women’s rights activists ever? Well probably not in 2019. But wow. Really? The Taliban. Great meeting. Sharia guy one, what do you got today?
Oh... this should be interesting. 🤦🏻♂️