Taliban reject planned talks with Kabul, set preconditions

By Zabihullah Tamanna

KABUL

The Taliban on Saturday announced their refusal to participate in long-awaited peace talks with the Afghan government in the absence of several preconditions, according to a statement released by the group.

Although direct peace talks are slated to begin next week, the Taliban said they would not participate as long as U.S.-led foreign forces remained on Afghan soil.

"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan once again reiterates that unless the occupation of Afghanistan is ended… and innocent prisoners freed, such futile, misleading negotiations will not bear any result," the group stated.

The group went on to attribute its decision to refrain from taking part in direct negotiations to the ongoing deployment of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, continued airstrikes by U.S.-led forces, and the recent expansion of military operations by the Afghan government.

The Taliban also asserted that they had been kept out of the loop since the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) -- comprised of the U.S., China, Pakistan and Afghanistan -- began holding talks early last month aimed at resuming peace talks.

"From the outset, the Islamic Emirate’s political office has not been kept apprised of [developments regarding] the talks," the group said.

Afghan officials, for their part, including President Ashraf Ghani, have repeatedly ruled out any preconditions set by the Taliban for peace talks.

Late last month, the QCG held its fourth meeting in Kabul to prepare for the resumption of direct talks between the Afghan government and both the Taliban and the Hezbi Islami, led by Gulbiddin Hekmatyar.

At a Feb. 6 QCG meeting in Islamabad, participants agreed on a roadmap for the resumption of talks, which were suspended after the Taliban last year announced the death of group head Mullah Mohamed Omar.

The Taliban’s latest statement comes only days before a first round of face-to-face talks were slated to begin in Islamabad.