New developments reported in crucial peace talks between Afghan government and Taliban
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In the landmark intra-Afghan talks being held in the Qatari capital Doha, the warring parties on Tuesday discussed the agenda and protocol prepared by their respective working groups.
A senior member of the Afghan government's delegation, Nader Nadery, confirmed this in a series of tweets in the Pashto, Dari and English languages. "Making peace is [a] complicated process but possible. IRA [Islamic Republic of Afghanistan] negotiation team meets to discuss report of last night meeting of contact group," said the head of Afghanistan's Administrative Reforms and Civil Service Commission.
With limited access to the press and the change of venue in Doha, the spokesman for the Taliban's Qatar office, Mohammad Naeem, also took to Twitter.
Both sides agreed to hold general dialogue without the "interference" of any foreigner behind closed doors, the local Salam Afghanistan radio quoted multiple delegates from both sides as saying.
The crucial intra-Afghan peace talks in the Gulf state follow a US-Taliban deal in February. The two sides are aiming for political reconciliation and an end to decades of violence.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the inaugural session on Saturday that democracy had worked best for the US and many other nations, but "no one size fits all."
He, however, added that the scope and size of the future US assistance to Afghanistan is conditional to the future "choices and conduct" of Afghans. "So I cannot strongly enough urge you: Seize this opportunity. Protect this process. Respect each other. Be patient."
