Afghan envoys in Pakistan for peace talks
AFGHANISTAN: Afghan efforts to broker peace with the Taliban enter a
new phase this week with the first scheduled visit of envoys to
Islamabad, part of a growing recognition that the process hinges on
Pakistan.
Afghanistan’s ex-president Burhanuddin Rabbani takes a group from
President Hamid Karzai’s High Council for Peace to neighbouring Pakistan
Tuesday for talks with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister
Yousuf Raza Gilani.
Pakistan is increasingly seen as key to Afghan stability, despite
historic tensions between the two countries linked to Pakistan’s desire
to extend its sphere of influence in the region as a bulwark against
arch-rival India.
Key Taliban figures are believed to be hiding out in Pakistan’s wild
border regions, while experts say agents from its powerful
Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have protected or even controlled the
militants for years.
Islamabad has said it stands ready to facilitate dialogue between
Afghanistan and the Taliban. “There will be talks with all stakeholders
about bringing peace to Afghanistan,” Rabbani’s deputy Ataullah Ludin
told AFP, speaking about the three-day visit. “This trip is the
beginning. We cannot talk about the result now, however, we are
optimistic for all peace efforts.”
The move comes at the start of a crucial year for Afghanistan -
limited international troop withdrawals are expected to start in July
before a planned handover of responsibility for security to Afghan
troops in 2014. But some international diplomats and commanders enter
2011 convinced that the plan can only succeed if there are meaningful
talks with the Taliban, and the role of Pakistan is seen as crucial.
AFP |