In the landmark intra-Afghan talks being held in the Qatari capital Doha,the warring parties on Tuesday discussed the agenda and protocol preparedby 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 Englishlanguages. “Making peace is [a] complicated process but possible. IRA[Islamic Republic of Afghanistan] negotiation team meets to discuss reportof last night meeting of contact group,” said the head of Afghanistan’sAdministrative Reforms and Civil Service Commission.
With limited access to the press and the change of venue in Doha, thespokesman for the Taliban’s Qatar office, Mohammad Naeem, also took toTwitter.
Both sides agreed to hold general dialogue without the “interference” ofany foreigner behind closed doors, the local Salam Afghanistan radio quotedmultiple delegates from both sides as saying.
The crucial intra-Afghan peace talks in the Gulf state follow a US-Talibandeal in February. The two sides are aiming for political reconciliation andan end to decades of violence.
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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the inaugural session on Saturdaythat democracy had worked best for the US and many other nations, but “noone size fits all.”
He, however, added that the scope and size of the future US assistance toAfghanistan is conditional to the future “choices and conduct” of Afghans.”So I cannot strongly enough urge you: Seize this opportunity. Protect thisprocess. Respect each other. Be patient.”
