Diplomatic offensive in pipeline for finding solution to Afghan crisis
September 19th, 2010 - 7:00 pm ICT by ANI
Islamabad, Sept 19 (ANI): The United States, Pakistan and some Arab nations have launched a massive diplomatic offensive to find a viable solution to the Afghan problem.
According to one Western diplomat who has been at the forefront as a fixer, the main thrust of the offensive is to set up a broad-based government in Afghanistan, with Taliban as one of its components, the Daily Times reports.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai is set to initiate the reconciliation process with the Taliban and other Afghan warring factions.
Earlier, United States Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke visited Pakistan, followed by Karzai and NATO Commander General Petraeus, and met Pakistan COAS General Ashfaq Kayani and ISI Director General (ISI) Lt. Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha.
“They had come to sought Pakistan’s help to break a deal with the Taliban and nudge Karzai to deal with Taliban,” said top Foreign Ministry sources.
“The Americans have practically accepted Pakistan’s stance that the Taliban are a reality in Afghanistan,” a source said.
However, a Taliban spokesman denied that negotiations are actually in the pipeline.
“Ameerul Momineen Mullah Omer and Taliban will only come to the negotiating table when the US and coalition forces leave Afghanistan,” he said. (ANI)
- ISI chief visits Qatar (Lead) - Dec 30, 2011
- Pakistan trying to sidestep US to safeguard own interests in Afghanistan: NYT - Apr 19, 2011
- Kayani rubbishes reports about organising 'secret' Karzai-Haqqani meeting - Jul 02, 2010
- Pak Army, ISI chief accompanied Sirajuddin Haqqani during meeting with Karzai - Jun 28, 2010
- ISI certainly has links with Taliban, but nature not clear yet: Petraeus - Jun 30, 2010
- Gilani-led Pakistani delegation in Kabul for talks - Apr 16, 2011
- Afghanistan dismisses reports of Karzai's secret Taliban meeting - Jun 28, 2010
- Petraeus to commence third US 'war' in Pakistan as CIA chief: Report - Apr 30, 2011
- Taliban impostor was "groomed by ISI to delay, counter check us": NATO official - Nov 26, 2010
- India alerts Afghanistan about the Haqqani network - Jul 02, 2010
- Pakistan PM in Kabul for strategic talks (Lead) - Apr 16, 2011
- Gilani calls for Af-Pak cooperation in war on terror (Second Lead) - Apr 16, 2011
- Pak barrier over US, Afghanistan and Taliban peace negotiations to end Afghan war - Mar 17, 2011
- Amid Pakistani moves, Krishna to attend Kabul meet - Jul 10, 2010
- Pakistan spy chief visits Qatar - Dec 30, 2011
Tags: afghan crisis, afghan president hamid karzai, arab nations, ashfaq, coas, commander general, general petraeus, hamid karzai, kayani, ministry sources, mullah, nato commander, pasha, president hamid karzai, richard holbrooke, shuja, taliban spokesman, viable solution, warring factions, western diplomat