It is meant to represent all ethnic and political alliances in a bid to reach out to the Taleban leadership, as well as convince grassroots insurgent fighters to join the government.
Wafa, however, questioned its effectiveness, and said its wide makeup actually made it difficult for the government to reach out to militant groups.
"I have told President Karzai and he promised that there would be repair of the peace council. I am not afraid to speak out, but it doesn't much bear fruit. There must be a review," he said in an interview.
"I think genuine people aren't part of the peace council, or there are individuals who the Taleban fought in the past or some communist baqaya (remains) in the council, because of whom the Taleban aren't interested in talks." Wafa, one of the Afghan government's most experienced bureaucrats, said a reorganization of the council could help kick-start talks in Qatar, where the Taleban has set up an office to build contacts with the United States, or elsewhere. MORE.
Faltering is too generous because it suggests they were progressing. Vietcong played the same card in Paris as the French and Americans were on their way out.
ReplyDeleteOf course Washington is equally spinning negotiations to accent its military campaign.
Yes and building an illusion of a smooth exit by negotiation. A sleight of hand that would help O's re-election efforts.
ReplyDeleteElection season is coming too early to get a boost from modest withdrawals. Assuming October will have an Iranian flavor.
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