No Secret Talks with Insurgents: Abdullah

KABUL - Peace talks with anti-government armed groups should not be held secretly, Leader of the Change and Hope Coalition said on Sunday.
Leader of Change and Hope Coalition, Dr Abdullah Abdullah, criticized the peace process arguing that neither Afghan political parties, nor civil society or the people in general are part of it. He said the Afghan government does not have a transparent program for peace talks.
Dr Abdullah made the comments while speaking at a gathering in Kabul marking the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammed.

He said the government has to keep people informed on how and on what conditions peace talks will be held.
"Playing with the great wish of the Afghan people which is peace in the county is a political game. If a political game is played, whether at the regional or international level, it will not only lead to peace but will also distance us from peace," the Leader of Change and Hope Coalition said.

Meanwhile, some members of parliament warned that if no proper measures are taken, the country will be faced with a catastrophe beyond 2014 when all foreign forces will be withdrawn.
Afghan MP, Mohammed Yonus Qanooni, says that if talks continue to be held as before, it will only give privileges to the anti-government armed groups. He also said that changing the geography of war in the country will not bring peace and stability.

"A peace that will destroy national unity and territorial integrity of Afghanistan is no peace. It is only a conspiracy and a disaster which will make Afghan people suffer," Mr Qanooni said.
"Only certain obvious circles will try to seek their interests in such conspiracies."

Meanwhile, the National Coalition of Afghanistan also warns that Afghan security forces will not be able to maintain security after 2014.
The National Coalition believes that Pakistan's spy agency, ISI, will openly interfere in Afghanistan's internal affairs after foreign troops pull out in 2014.