Post by Logan on Jan 24, 2016 20:08:31 GMT -6
Taliban make demands before agreeing to join Afghan peace negotiations
DOHA, Qatar, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- The Taliban has released a list of conditions that must be met before the militant group will consider joining formal peace talks aimed at ending the conflict in Afghanistan.
A Taliban representative laid down the demands during the second and final day of unofficial talks with Afghan government mediators, lawmakers and civil-society activists in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday.
Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the Taliban's chief negotiator and head of its political office in Doha, said the group wants complete withdrawal of U.S.-led foreign troops, establishment of an "independent Islamic system," formal international recognition of its Doha office, the release of an unnamed list of prisoners, an end to "poisonous propaganda" against the insurgents, and for the group to be removed from a United Nations blacklist targeting its members with travel and financial restrictions.
Stanekzai also demanded a direct negotiating line with the United States to discuss a withdrawal deadline for foreign troops and for bounties on Taliban leaders to be dropped.
Continued at www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2016/01/24/Taliban-make-demands-before-agreeing-to-join-Afghan-peace-negotiations/9501453664031/?spt=sec&or=tn .
DOHA, Qatar, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- The Taliban has released a list of conditions that must be met before the militant group will consider joining formal peace talks aimed at ending the conflict in Afghanistan.
A Taliban representative laid down the demands during the second and final day of unofficial talks with Afghan government mediators, lawmakers and civil-society activists in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday.
Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the Taliban's chief negotiator and head of its political office in Doha, said the group wants complete withdrawal of U.S.-led foreign troops, establishment of an "independent Islamic system," formal international recognition of its Doha office, the release of an unnamed list of prisoners, an end to "poisonous propaganda" against the insurgents, and for the group to be removed from a United Nations blacklist targeting its members with travel and financial restrictions.
Stanekzai also demanded a direct negotiating line with the United States to discuss a withdrawal deadline for foreign troops and for bounties on Taliban leaders to be dropped.
Continued at www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2016/01/24/Taliban-make-demands-before-agreeing-to-join-Afghan-peace-negotiations/9501453664031/?spt=sec&or=tn .