KABUL - The government would hold talks with the Taliban in Qatar if the militants honored their commitments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday.
The Taliban’s political office -- the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan -- was opened in Doha last week, with support from the Obama administration.
But the Afghan government strongly opposed the Taliban office under that name and suspended negotiations with the US on the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA).
Later, Secretary of State John Kerry told Karzai over the telephone the name sign had been removed from the office and the Taliban flag lowered.
But the rebel movement said on Saturday they had halted talks with the US and that they had neither changed the name of the office nor removed their flag.
The Afghan government opposes the opening of the Taliban’s office, alleging it was against the agreement on the subject between Kabul and Washington.
The US had failed to keep the promise it held out to the Afghan government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Janan Musazai told a news conference in Kabul.
Under the Afghan-US accord, Musazai explained, the Taliban office in Qatar would be only for peace talks between negotiators from both sides.
Peace talks would take place between High Peace Council members and Taliban’s representatives, he said, adding the office should not collect charity for Taliban and should not be used for terrorist activities.
“The office has been opened against the commitments outlined in the agreement,” the spokesman insisted. Three years back, the US budged from its position and agreed to peace parleys with the Taliban, he recalled.
Musazai made clear the peace process must be led by Afghanistan. “If the Afghan government doesn’t lead the process, it would have no positive role and the effort will fizzle out.”
The government desired strong support from the US and Pakistan for Afghan-led peace process, he said, adding Kabul would not let anyone achieve their nefarious designs in the name of promoting the peace process. (Pajhwok)