Doha deadlock putting Afghan peace efforts at stake

[Devil Soul]

ISLAMABAD - The ongoing deadlock in US-Taliban Doha talks is causing serious damage to peace efforts in Afghanistan, with diplomatic circles here warning that the stalemate has only strengthened the position of hardliners among the ranks of Afghan Taliban and their opposition to negotiations could derail the whole process of reconciliation in the war-torn state. The opening of Taliban office last month in Doha, Qatar after prolonged ‘behind the scene’ diplomatic efforts on part of US and its NATO allies, which were also backed by Pakistan, had led to the belief that finally war in Afghanistan would come to an end and once the US leaves this country by the end of 2014, peace and normalcy would return to its ill-fated people. However, the deadlock that occurred in the ‘Doha process’ early this month over the title of ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’ and ‘flag’ used by the Taliban for their newly opened office infuriated Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who believed that it was tantamount to a ‘Taliban government in exile’. Karzai backed off from the process of dialogue with Mullah Omar-led Taliban and also brought to sudden end Kabul’s talks with Washington on proposed agreement on bilateral security, an important pact that would allow the residual presence of US troops in Afghanistan beyond 2014. All this led to an impasse in Doha peace talks between the US and the Taliban and the latter also announced the closure of their office in Qatari capital early this month. The US and its allies have been trying hard again now for days to bring an end to the current impasse that hit the peace talks with the Taliban but so far they couldn’t achieve any success on this front. The diplomatic circles in the Pakistani capital privy to developments on the front of Doha process fear that the prolongation of deadlock in US-Taliban talks would cause serious damage to efforts aimed at peace and stability in Afghanistan. They warn that that delay in the ironing out of differences with the Taliban could even derail the Afghanistan reconciliation process. “This deadlock has only benefited the hardliners among the Taliban ranks and files. These elements were already against any talks with US or Karzai government on ground that they had an upper hand in battlefield and now they would tell their fellows that there was no use of any dialogue after what happened in Doha,” said a diplomatic source, seeking anonymity. He said the hardliners among the Taliban were mostly the military commanders who were very happy and content with the situation on ground as for the ongoing fighting with the US-led foreign troops, and they believed that engaging in talks at this crucial juncture with the Washington or Kabul would result in losing the advantage that they had in war field. Another source, who also wished not to be named, said worried over this situation, the Obama administration wanted Pakistan to use its “good offices” and bring the Taliban to the table of negotiations as soon as possible. He said the Afghan reconciliation process would hence be at the top of US Secretary of State John Kerry’s agenda for talks with Pakistani leadership when he arrived for an official visit in the next few days. - See more at: Doha deadlock putting Afghan peace efforts at stake | Pakistan Today | Latest news | Breaking news | Pakistan News | World news | Business | Sport and Multimedia