U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Mark Stratton talks to villagers about a micro hydro pump provided by the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team in Panjshir Valley, Afghanistan, March 4, 2009. The micro hydro uses water to create power for the village. Colonel Stratton is the Panjshir team commander. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.From Times Online:
Mullah Omar approves talks aimed at ending war in Afghanistan and is participating in Saudi-sponsored peace negotiations.
THE TALIBAN leader, Mullah Omar, has given his approval for talks aimed at ending the war in Afghanistan and has allowed his representatives to attend Saudi-sponsored peace negotiations.
“Mullah Omar has given the green light to talks,” said one of the mediators, Abdullah Anas, a former friend of Osama Bin Laden who used to fight in Afghanistan but now lives in London.
One of those negotiating for the Afghan government confirmed: “It’s extremely sensitive but we have been in contact both with Mullah Omar’s direct representatives and commanders from the front line.”
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My Comment: These news reports completely contradicts what the Taliban have been saying for the past few months, and what American officials have been saying when it came to having talks with the more extremist element of the Taliban.
This change in direction can signify many things .... but from my point of view the Taliban now see an opportunity to lay the groundwork for a withdrawal of Nato and American troops from their country, followed by their(of course) eventual control of the country.
President Obama's comments last week that the U.S. cannot win in Afghanistan has changed the dynamics of the war completely. This has galvanized and given encouragement to the enemy, and it is scaring and/or demoralizing our allies in the country.
unfortunately, these "peace talks" are only going to reinforce these perceptions and altitudes.