Turkey conference less likely after Eid, believe experts

KABUL (Pajhwok): With efforts ongoing to convene a key conference on Afghanistan peace in Turkey, experts believe the event is less likely to take place.

The UN-led Turkey conference, proposed by the US, was expected on April 24, but the Taliban refused to attend it and linked it to delaying withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan from a previously agreed deadline.

The UN, Qatar and Turkey while announcing the postponement of the Turkey conference had said that the event would be organized after Eid-ul-Fitr.

High Council of National Reconciliation (HCNR) also said that efforts were on to hold the conference after Eid holidays.

Painda Hikmat, a member of HCNR, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the Turkey conference was definite after the coming Eid as he believed the world was serious to end the Afghan crisis.

“It is natural the Turkey conference would spotlight the end route of Afghan war and it would also bring about some tangible results”, he said.

However, some political analysts believe that intensified violence in the country and increased confrontation between the government and the Taliban show the Turkey conference would less likely happen.

NasratullahHaqpal, a political analyst, told Pajhwok that he did not believe the conference would be held after Eid, considering the increased violence between the Taliban and the government and mistrust.

However, he said that the Taliban and the US were negotiating to end their differences and they may reach an agreement after Eid.

“If they even reach an agreement, it is not possible to hold this conference soon after Eid,” he said, adding that there were many hopes linked to the meeting in the beginning, but he did not think the conference would be productive considering the ongoing situation.

Bashir Qanit, another political analyst said that the US and some regional countries were trying to hold the conference after Eid.

He said that the Taliban had set two conditions for joining the conference which included removal of their leaders from blacklists and release of their 7,000 inmates.

The Taliban may join the conference if their demands are accepted, he added, saying if the Taliban participated in the conference due to pressure, it would not be productive.

The US and the Afghan government say the Taliban’s demands would be accepted only if the group reduced violence and agreed on truce.

Some foreign diplomats in Kabul also believe that there is little chance for Turkey conference to be held after Eid.

They believe the conference would probably be held in June but with little outcome.

Mds/ma

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