...In an exclusive interview with Asharq al-Awsat, Tashakkuri revealed that former [top] Taliban officials...amongst others are currently mediating between the Taliban and the government of President Hamid Karzai. He said that while Mullah Omar, the head of the fundamentalist movement, agrees on the conditions set for ending of violence, he rejects the mediation of those who are under the protection of Karzai's government, such as Mullah Zaeef and Mullah Wakeel Ahmad Muttawakal and others.
Tashakkuri also revealed that hardline members of the Taliban have refused to participate in these negotiations and have made known their preference for holding talks with American officials to set the final guidelines for the departure of foreign forces and the cessation of violence.
...Tashakkuri downplayed the significance of statements by Taliban leaders about a collapse in negotiations, describing them as "media stirs" or internal political calculations...He argues that the current crisis in Afghanistan will not be resolved except from the Islamic perspective, which is adopted by the rival parties. National reconciliation aims at opening up to the moderate elements among the Taliban leaders...(Asharq Alawsat).
Full Article: http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=1&id=14301
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