After initial denials, Taliban have confirmed their agreement for a liaison office in Doha. Militant's spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a carefully-worded statement has said the Taliban have agreed to have a political office in Qatar to have "understanding with the international community". He avoided to mention the US while saying that the Taliban have reached an initial understanding with Qatar and "relevant states".
At the time when news of Taliban's confirmation was on headlines, three blasts, including a suicide attack, rocked Kandahar city, the birthplace of Taliban and hometown of their leader Mullah Omar. The casualties included 4 soldiers of Afghan Army and 8 civilians, including a young girl. Who else will carry a suicide attack in Kandahar, if not the Taliban? Yesterday's blasts tell us that despite peace talks, violence will not stop.
The Taliban confirmation of their office in Qatar is indeed an important development in the efforts to reach out to them for process of dialogue on political settlement to end the conflict. But the Government and people of Afghanistan should not expect ultimate end to terrorist attacks, even if an eventual deal is made under the current process with the elements of Taliban's Quetta Shura led by Mullah Omar.
It will take long time to reach to a level of cease fire and serious negotiations start with the Taliban. Even then, the questions of how to engage with Hizb-e-Islami and other militants who are out of the influence of Taliban leadership, will remain critical.
The Taliban statement also said that their prisoners be released from Guantanamo Bay. Reports in American media last week said that the Obama Administration is going to release some top Taliban commanders from Guantanamo. Among them, Mullah Fazl, former Taliban Chief of Army and Deputy Defense Minister, is also included. He is a notorious commander responsible for deaths of thousands of civilians in the massacres of Mazar, Bamyan and Yakawlang by Taliban. He is responsible for war crimes.
With release of such notorious figures, the Obama Administration is telling the world that there is no red line or any principle of accountability, justice and human rights by releasing those who are wanted by the UN for war crimes.
The US Government should ensure the people of Afghanistan that return of such figures as political negotiators will not completely bypass a proper transparent and accountable process, and be in contradiction of all the very universal values American has always stood for.
It will be good news for Afghans if there is any success through talks with Taliban to end the conflict in Afghanistan. But Afghans want this process to be transparent and accountable. There must be some red lines and principles for this process.