Top Afghan negotiator optimistic over peace process

Kabul, Afghanistan, 20 Shafar 1434/1 January 2013 (MINA) – A senior Afghan high peace council official said he was cautiously optimistic about prospects for reconciliation with the Taliban and that all sides now realized a military solution to the war was not possible.

Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai quoted by Reuters said, abul government hoped to transform the Afghan Taliban, who have proved resilient after more than a decade of war against U.S.-led NATO and Afghan troops, into a political movement.

Stanekzai further added Haqqani Network will also join peace talks if the Taliban group started formal negotiations with the Afghan government, according to a report published in www.khaama.com monitored by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA), Tuesday.

Also Read: OIC URGES MNLF SEMA NOT TO JOIN MISUARI GROUP IN ZAMBOANGA ATTACKS

As the NATO combat troops are preparing to leave Afghanistan by 2014, the Afghan high peace council seems to have gained momentum in its drive to persuade the Taliban to lay down their arms and join the reconciliation process.

“I think one consensus was that everybody acknowledged that nobody will win by military (means),” said Stanekzai, who was badly wounded in a 2011 Taliban suicide bombing attack. “Everybody acknowledged that we have to enter into a meaningful negotiation.”

In the meantime Pakistan released eight members of the Afghan Taliban from prison on Monday, including the former justice minister under the Taliban, in a bid to boost the peace process in neighbouring Afghanistan.

Also Read: Convention to Discuss Rohingya, Youth Issues to Be Held in Medan

Pakistan is seen as a lynchpin in efforts to bring about peace in Afghanistan as foreign troops plan to depart the country in 2014. Kabul has been pressing its neighbour to release more prisoners who they hope would bring the Taliban to the negotiating table before the U.S. troops go home. (T/R-011/R-006)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)