Peace talks shouldn’t be abandoned: HCNR chief

KABUL (Pajhwok): Talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban on ending the ongoing conflict should continue, Kabul’s chief peace negotiator says.

The government should keep talking to the militant movement unless the fighters themselves left the negotiating table, opined the High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) chairman.

Speaking to Reuters on Friday, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah insisted: “I think we shouldn’t shut the door unless it’s completely shut by the Taliban.”

Currently on a visit to Washington DC, Abdullah maintained: “We can’t say no to talks despite a lack of progress or in spite of what’s happening on the ground.”

The HCNR head, referring to statements from different Taliban leaders, said there was perhaps greater optimism about a peace deal when the talks began in Doha.

Abdullah believed the talks should not be abandoned despite a spike in Taliban attacks. “Eventually, the last man killed will not be a solution.”

PAN Monitor/mud