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04-22-2009, 11:49 AM
Afghan government reports talks with Taliban
By Amir Shah, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
KABUL - The Afghan government has held "good discussions" with Taliban militants as it seeks a way to end an increasingly bloody insurgency against Afghan and foreign forces, an official said Tuesday.
The spokesman for President Hamid Karzai said there have been "some developments" in the talks, raising hopes they could lead toward peace. However, Humayun Hamidzada cautioned there would not be a quick agreement.
"We have had some talks," Hamidzada told a news conference. "We shouldn't expect a quick outcome, but there has been some developments. There are some contacts at different levels."
He offered no specifics on progress made in the negotiations.
A spokesman for the Taliban, Qari Yousef Ahamdi, denied the Taliban held negotiations with Afghan officials.
"It is just propaganda," he said. "No level of commanders have had negotiations. The Taliban have said several times that we won't do any negotiations while American and NATO forces are present in Afghanistan."Article continued at http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2009/04/21/9191021-ap.html
By Amir Shah, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
KABUL - The Afghan government has held "good discussions" with Taliban militants as it seeks a way to end an increasingly bloody insurgency against Afghan and foreign forces, an official said Tuesday.
The spokesman for President Hamid Karzai said there have been "some developments" in the talks, raising hopes they could lead toward peace. However, Humayun Hamidzada cautioned there would not be a quick agreement.
"We have had some talks," Hamidzada told a news conference. "We shouldn't expect a quick outcome, but there has been some developments. There are some contacts at different levels."
He offered no specifics on progress made in the negotiations.
A spokesman for the Taliban, Qari Yousef Ahamdi, denied the Taliban held negotiations with Afghan officials.
"It is just propaganda," he said. "No level of commanders have had negotiations. The Taliban have said several times that we won't do any negotiations while American and NATO forces are present in Afghanistan."Article continued at http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2009/04/21/9191021-ap.html