The Afghan government and the Taliban formed on Sunday working groups totake dialogue forward, a day after they began their first direct talks toend nearly two decades of fighting.
Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of the High Council of National Reconciliationof Afghanistan, told a press conference in Doha, Qatar that both Kabul andthe insurgents could emerge as “winners” by keeping the door ofnegotiations open.
He argued for a “significant” reduction in violence, followed by atemporary, and an eventual permanent cease-fire.
“It would be miscalculation to think that causing more casualties wouldmake people more hopeful about peace. Increasing the casualties is not asolution,” he said.
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The Afghan government’s top negotiator, Mohammad Massoum Stanikzai, saidthe two sides have reached “some primary agreements” on moving toagenda-setting and principles for in-depth negotiations.
Meanwhile, Taliban spokesperson Mohammad Naeem said the group’s deputychief, Mullah Baradar, and chief negotiator Mawlawi Abdul Hakeem Haqqani,met Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to discuss the peaceprocess.
