Afghanistan peace talks: US-Taliban meeting in Qatar cancelled

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Guardian

A fresh effort to end Afghanistan's 12-year-old war looked in disarray on Thursday after a diplomatic row about the Taliban's new Qatar office delayed preliminary discussions between the US and the Islamist insurgents.

Talks between US officials and Taliban representatives had been set for Thursday in the Gulf state but Afghan government anger at the opening of a Taliban office there threw preparations into confusion.

The dispute may set the tone for what could be long and arduous negotiations to end a war that has raged since the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

Asked when the talks would now take place, a source in Doha told Reuters: "There is nothing scheduled that I am aware of." Asked if that meant they would not happen on Thursday, the source added: "Yes, that's correct."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/20/afghanistan-talks-taliban-qatar-cancelled

[Lasher]

1. This is not going well.

We announce we'll negotiate with them, then they announce they've just killed 4 more US soldiers. I don't think the Taliban is sincere about wanting to negotiate a peace settlement. Now the Afghan government is pissed off, and I don't blame them.

We should just get the hell out already.

[dipsydoodle]

2. Soemthing odd had already happened

I'd posted this which made no mention whatsoever of the US : Karzai announces peace talks as Afghans take over security http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3038782

And then some hours later the US mentioned their own talks : US to open direct Taliban talks http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014511547

The issue is the US piggybacking onto the talks which were announced earlier.

[Lasher]

4. Hmmm, that's interesting.

What are we trying to do, upstage the Afghans? Even if we're not, it's bad if it looks that way. And it does.

Thanks for adding this perspective.

[Comrade Grumpy]

5. There are two tracks: US-Taliban and Karzai-Taliban

Karzai took offense at the Taliban's Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan schtick.

Or so he says. Who knows? He's such a player.

[malthaussen]

3. Have they decided on the shape of the table yet? n/t