KABUL (Agencies): Hafiz Mansour, a member of the Afghan government teamnegotiating with the Taliban, said on Saturday that the militant group isnot yet ready for any ceasefire, as both teams prepare to resume talks nextweek.
Mansour added that a majority of the Taliban forces believe they couldseize power militarily, a “dangerous mindset,” he warned the government.
The two sides began talks last year with the goal of establishing aceasefire, paving the way for a democratic government whenever foreignforces leave the country.
The US had previously reached a deal with the Taliban whereby US andTaliban forces would try to limit attacks.
Although Kabul is leading the current talks, the US continues to play acoordinating role as a major military occupier.
Mansour said that some countries that have helped Afghanistan during thepast two decades were willing to help establish an interim government,which would help the government transition from its current form towhatever is agreed upon in peace talks. However, some regional countriesoppose the idea, saying the idea of forming an interim government is an‘American plan.’
In the meantime, Manso-ur said that the US would try to help thenegotiating team reach an agreement before the planned full withdrawal ofUS forces in May, as per an agreement struck with the Taliban in Doha inFebruary.
Mansour said there was no choice but to accept an interim government in theinterest of preserving basic human rights.
He said the team would get its final guidance from the government onMon-day, before leaving Kabul to Doha for a new round of talks set to starton Tuesday.
Earlier, Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh said that Afghanistan is acomplicated country, where the rule of one group was impossible, and askedthe militant group to participate in government.
Also, US Secretary of State Pompeo in a series of tweets on Saturdaydefended President Trump’s policy towards Afghanistan and said that alladministrations before him tried to talk to the Taliban and withdraw USforces from the country, but added that their administration did it.
“Every Administration since Bush 43 wanted to draw down US troops and forgepeace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government. We did it. Don’tjust take my word for it,” Pompeo said. He said that US’s mission inAfghanistan was to combat Al-Qaeda and threats to the American homeland.
“Don’t need tens of thousands of US troops on the ground to do that. Wehave partners: brave Afghans, NATO forces. We also have the ability toproject power from afar,” said Pompeo.
He also lauded the talks between the Afghan governemt and the Taliban.
“No US servicemen have been killed in Afghanistan in almost a year, andAfghans are finally discussing peace and reconciliation among themselves,”Pompeo said, calling it an “incredible progress.”