*DOHA: Peace talks between the US and the Taliban were suspended for thebeginning of Ramzan on Monday, with the two sides at apparent loggerheadsover the key issue of when foreign forces might leave Afghanistan.*
The foes have spent much of the past week in a sixth round of talks in Dohaaimed at ending America´s longest war, but the Taliban say negotiationshave become bogged down.
In a tweet, Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen said the talks werepausing for the first day of the holy month of Ramzan, but would be resumedTuesday.
Sultan Barakat, the director of the Center for Conflict and HumanitarianStudies in Doha, also said the talks would resume Tuesday, and that theyhad made “good progress”.
But Shaheen told AFP late Sunday negotiations were stumbling over thefundamental question of when foreign forces would depart Afghanistan.
Before the US agrees to any withdrawal, it is demanding the Taliban put inplace security guarantees, a ceasefire and other commitments including an“intra-Afghan” dialogue with the Kabul government and other Afghanrepresentatives.
The insurgents insist they won´t do any of these things until the USannounces a withdrawal timeline.
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At the end of a large peace summit in Kabul last week, President AshrafGhani offered the Taliban a ceasefire to begin on the first day of Ramzan,but the insurgents refused.
Ghani on Monday reiterated his call for the Taliban to respect demands fromlast week´s “loya jirga” summit that saw thousands of tribal elders andAfghans meet in Kabul.
“Ramzan is a month of peace and reconciliation,” Ghani said.
“I once again call on the Taliban to pay respect to this month and thedemands of the people for peace and reconciliation reflected (in the LoyaJirga).”
On Sunday, at least 13 people were killed and dozens more wounded after aTaliban suicide bomber and several gunmen attacked a police headquarters innorthern Afghanistan. -APP/AFP
