KABUL – The NATO-led Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan on Tuesdayrejected reports its commander General John Nicholson had said the UnitedStates was ready to join direct negotiations with the Taliban, saying hiscomments were “mischaracterised”.
In a statement, it referred to reports on Monday in which Nicholsonreiterated comments by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the possibility oftalks with the Taliban involving the United States.
“The United States is not a substitute for the Afghan people or the Afghangovernment,” Nicholson said in a statement.
“My reaffirmation of Secretary Pompeo’s statement in which he said peacetalks would include a discussion of international forces and that theUnited States is ready to work with the Taliban, the Afghan government andthe Afghan people towards lasting peace was mischaracterised,” he said.
The Taliban have rejected talks with the government of President AshrafGhani, which they see as illegitimate and instead insisted they would onlytalk with the United States.
In his comments on Monday, Nicholson said the United States recognised ithad an important role to play in the peace process.
“Our Secretary of State, Mr Pompeo, has said that we, the United States,are ready to talk to the Taliban and discuss the role of internationalforces,” he said. “We hope that they realise this and that this will helpto move forward the peace process.”
The remarks come amid growing speculation about moves to open talks withthe Taliban following an unprecedented three-day ceasefire during lastmonth’s Eid holiday.
Last month, Pompeo said the United States was ready to “support, facilitateand participate” in discussions with the Taliban over the role ofinternational forces in Afghanistan but that the peace process would beAfghan-led.