Talks with Taliban may not happen at all: US

WASHINGTON (PAN might not happen at all if a meeting ground was not found between the two sides.

“It (talks with the Taliban) might not take place,” State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell told reporters at his daily news conference. He was asked if there was a possibility of the US-Taliban talks not happening at all.

At the same time, the official noted that the United States was open to negotiations with the insurgent group. He hoped that the much-expected dialogue with the Taliban could happen soon.

“We said that we were open to meeting with the Taliban because we have issues to raise with them directly, but the principal goal is to get Afghans talking to Afghans,” Ventrell remarked.

“So I think part of Ambassador Dobbins’ trip was obviously working with the Afghans, and I think they’ve had some statements as well with the Afghans over the weekend where they made clear they are open to potentially having this way forward in political dialogue,” he said.

Referring to the statement of Secretary of State, John Kerry in New Delhi on the uncertainty related to the talks, Ventrell said: “There were some hopeful signs — a couple of steps forward in terms of opening the office.

“Clearly, some of the agreement that wasn’t adhered to, but we want to see if we can get it back on track, but we’ll be clear-eyed and continue to see what can happen,” the spokesman concluded.

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