US Negotiation Approach 'Flawed'

'Reciprocal measures from the Taliban side are, perhaps significantly, much less developed, and reportedly include requests for the Taliban to formally cut ties with al-Qaeda, to accept the elected Afghan government, and to agree to bargain in good faith. A proposal for eventual consideration would be a declaration of "ceasefire zones", perhaps to be established in conjunction with the turnover of local security responsibility to Afghan government forces in the areas concerned.US officials, speaking strictly without attribution, are careful, nonetheless, to stress the difficulties going forward. One such official rates the chances of ultimate success in reaching a negotiated solution to the conflict at no more than 30 per cent.I wish I could share his optimism.' Link.