Rassoul for Taliban talks in Afghanistan

HERAT CITY (PAN‘s office in a foreign country did not mean the insurgent movement’s recognition as a political force.

In order to brief local officials on the government’s foreign policy, the minister arrived in the western province of Herat. “Our policy is clear; we talk to those who embrace the constitution and cut ties to terrorist groups,” he said.

About the venue of talks with the Taliban, Rassoul said holding the dialogue in Afghanistan was the government’s priority.

However, he hastened to add, the negotiations could take place in any other country. “We prefer Saudi Arabia and Turkey for hosting such talks, if they are impossible in Afghanistan.”

On Tuesday, President Hamid Karzai said his government would support the US move toward the opening of Taliban’s political office in Qatar. However, Turkey and Saudi Arabia remained his government’s preferred places for such a liaison point, he explained.

In an interview with Turkish journalists at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Karzai said he would not oppose the opening of a Taliban office in Doha for the sake of peace in Afghanistan.

He said the Afghan government was ready to take forward the reconciliation mission and wanted the militants to have an address as soon as possible to enable his administration to take practical steps toward peace.

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