China to Host Next Afghan-Taliban Talks

[CCP]

China to Host Next Afghan-Taliban Talks

Ayaz Gul
July 24, 2015 10:43 AM

ISLAMABAD—
Afghan officials said a new round of peace talks with the Taliban will take place next week in China.

Pakistan brokered and hosted the inaugural dialogue between the two sides earlier this month.

The meeting July 7 in the Pakistani tourist town of Murree was the first direct interaction between the Afghan government and the Taliban in 14 years.

Chinese and American officials also attended as “observers.”

At the end of several hours of “preliminary” talks, both sides had agreed to meet again very soon.

'Trust-building' steps

Afghan officials with knowledge of the peace process say a possible “cease-fire” will be high on the agenda in next week’s meeting and discussions will mostly focus on “mutual trust-building” steps.

The Taliban has not officially commented on the announcement.

Key leaders of the Islamist insurgency are allegedly sheltering in Pakistan and are alleged to have links to the neighboring country's spy agency.

Speaking at the Heritage Foundation in Washington Thursday, Tariq Fatemi, Pakistan's minister of state for foreign affairs, emphasized Islamabad does not control the Taliban.

Fatemi did, however, say Islamabad would continue to use its “limited influence” with the Afghan insurgent group to build on the opening meeting Pakistan hosted earlier this month.

"It is a small step but we wish to transform it into a process rather than merely an event," he said.

He said he hoped a “deeper engagement” between the Afghan government and Taliban could lead to a cessation of hostilities in Afghanistan.

Last week, fugitive Taliban chief Mullah Omar, in his annual Eid felicitation message, also endorsed the peace talks as religiously “legitimate.”

Omar added he is not opposed to peaceful negotiations if they can help end “U.S.-led foreign occupation” of Afghanistan and establish an Islamic system in the country.

Issues to be discussed

Soon after the first round of discussions with the Taliban, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had urged the insurgent group to bring its demands in writing to the table for the next round of discussions.

The nascent Afghan peace process is believed to be the result of an improved relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Fatemi credited Ghani’s efforts aimed at promoting national stability, relations with Pakistan and regional peace.

“We see in him [Ghani] an excellent partner and together we can pursue the common objectives. We have a common border – we should have greater trade and greater economic cooperation," he said.

Fatemi said that around 190,000 Pakistani security troops are engaged in major counterterrorism operations near the border with Afghanistan.

 

[WAJsal]

As usual, China is stealing the thunder from Pakistan!! So what's new? Pakistan has always played second fiddle to its 'all weather friend', be it Afghanistan or the CPEC!!

Pakistan played a vital role in bringing Taliban to the table. Both parties have accepted to let Pakistan mediate these talks. So Pakistan got the thing going, you negativity is quite visible.

On topic: Good step, Pakistan and China want lasting peace in the region, only way possible is peace in Afghanistan, efforts of China are appreciated. I hope these talks yield some result too.

 

[Menace2Society]

As usual, China is stealing the thunder from Pakistan on the Afghanistan issue!! So what's new? Pakistan has always played second fiddle to its 'all weather friend', be it Afghanistan or the CPEC!!

Take burnol for your butt pain.

China and Pakistan are cleaning up the mess Uncle Sam and India created.

 

[IR-TR]

As usual, China is stealing the thunder from Pakistan on the Afghanistan issue!! So what's new? Pakistan has always played second fiddle to its 'all weather friend', be it Afghanistan or the CPEC!!

With a 6 times bigger population, and an economy infinitely bigger, that's not hard to see. Pakistan just needs to benefit as much as they can. They're no competitor to China, you are.

 

[graphican]

Great news.. Good to see China stepping in and helping in stabilizing Afghanistan. Hope peace prevails in the region.

But ever since Indian influence is buried there, things are turning out good for all. Sorry to Indians for they having no party on this subject.

 

[WAJsal]

Why are you jumping for joy at this? The fact is that Pakistan is incompetent and incapable of sorting out the Afghan problem which it has created and has therefore handed over the dirty work of sorting out the imbroglio to China.

It's amusing to see that you need Chinese crutches for everything...and it's getting worse!

Incapable? Pakistan is the one that got them talking, Pakistan got the thing going. Process is on-going. USA is also a part of the peace talks. First meeting was held in Murree. Good to see China helping. If you have a problem deal with it, quite clear that you are jealous.

 

[TaiShang]

I am not sure it is viable for China to get involved too much even though l wish success with the talks. I broader based negotiation would probably yield better results.

 

[Place Of Space]

As usual, China is stealing the thunder from Pakistan on the Afghanistan issue!! So what's new? Pakistan has always played second fiddle to its 'all weather friend', be it Afghanistan or the CPEC!!

Why not to express your best wishes to regional peace, reconciliation and development. Come on. Anyway, Afghanistan is also China's neighbor, China also want a stable Afghanistan.

Incapable? Pakistan is the one that got them talking, Pakistan got the thing going. Process is on-going. USA is also a part of the peace talks. First meeting was held in Murree. Good to see China helping. If you have a problem deal with it, quite clear that you are jealous.

Good job, bro. Afghanistan is central and a key role in the south-west Asia, Afghanistan's political reconciliation will build up the whole area into better situation.

 

[Nan Yang]

With a 6 times bigger population, and an economy infinitely bigger, that's not hard to see. Pakistan just needs to benefit as much as they can. They're no competitor to China, you are.

Many conflicts in the world can be solved by economic development. And China is very good at that.

As usual, China is stealing the thunder from Pakistan on the Afghanistan issue!! So what's new? Pakistan has always played second fiddle to its 'all weather friend', be it Afghanistan or the CPEC!!

And where is India diplomacy in all this.

 

[Shotgunner51]

Thanks for Pakistani bros' hard work in moving the reconciliation process forward, good move!
China will continue to backup Pakistani efforts, hope US does the same.

 

[Kambojaric]

Why not to express your best wishes to regional peace, reconciliation and development. Come on. Anyway, Afghanistan is also China's neighbor, China also want a stable Afghanistan.

Hes just butthurt because his supapowa country has been thoroughly ignored in this whole process despite their heavy financial investments in Afghanistan.

 

[opruh]

China's influence knows no bound. Hoping that the talks will be fruitful.

 

[OrionHunter]

Why not to express your best wishes to regional peace, reconciliation and development. Come on. Anyway, Afghanistan is also China's neighbor, China also want a stable Afghanistan.

Of course India wants regional peace. But Pakistan is the spoke in the wheel. It's doing its darnedest to ensure India is kept at arms length from Afghan affairs as it considers it to be its 'protectorate'.

The truth is 90% of Afghans hate Pakistan and don't want anything to do with it. It's only the 10% of Afghan Taliban and its affiliates, which have been nurtured by your Establishment, that Pakistan thinks represents Afghanistan. They don't! Period! And that's where the problem lies. The sooner Pakistan realizes this, the better.

 

[Gufi]

The issue of Pakistani influence is very clear with the main talks being held with Pakistan as the host to start the talks. China is always an ally in the region and sees Afghanistan as a great investment opportunity. They are actually very nicely poised because of Pakistani help with the Taliban and the Afghan Government both being respectful to Chinese interests. With growing influences of China there is will be a lookout to make sure the projects in the region can be steered away from chaotic trends.

Why are you jumping for joy at this? The fact is that Pakistan is incompetent and incapable of sorting out the Afghan problem which it has created and has therefore handed over the dirty work of sorting out the imbroglio to China.

Or India has tried its best to destabilised the region and now it is not working out. Your obsession with the issue makes you blind to the fact that the first conference was held where? what was it called? who got the parties on the table? It is maybe in Pakistani interests to see China take a more active role in Afghanistan neutralising other influences.

It's amusing to see that you need Chinese crutches for everything...and it's getting worse!

As for the Indian crutch theory, seems very funny that everything that happens for Pakistan seems to be part of some Indian issue. Pakistan has allies and trusts them, not like India balancing every country ruining its allies slowly.

Pakistan cleaning up the mess which it has itself created!! Lol! All for achieving that stupid concept of 'Strategic Depth' against India with the help of your good old Taliban friends, which has now become a joke!

Seriously, try studying history. As for strategic depth against India, well that is working out well for Pakistan. You keep an eye on things like you wish while you get surrounded by those who you help. We have hands in both the Afghan military officers being trained and the Taliban who are talking, and you can keep the economy running while we grow our influence where it matters. People are the easiest to turn, with a little goodwill and return of some of 'the refugees' helping to be our eyes and ears. Have fun 'influencing' the region with all the investment you wish. It is being spent buying Pakistani dairy, Pakistani foodstuff, Pakistani industry is taking off. Thank you, keep investing on the roads and the infrastructure. we can use it for our trucks and Chinese trucks.

 

[Place Of Space]

Of course India wants regional peace. But Pakistan is the spoke in the wheel. It's doing its darnedest to ensure India is kept at arms length from Afghan affairs as it considers it to be its 'protectorate'.

The truth is 90% of Afghans hate Pakistan and don't want anything to do with it. It's only the 10% of Afghan Taliban and its affiliates, which have been nurtured by your Establishment, that Pakistan thinks represents Afghanistan. They don't! Period! And that's where the problem lies. The sooner Pakistan realizes this, the better.

You know I watched a CCTV live investigation in Afghanistan the other day. Afghanistan common people really hope peace and stable life. One teenager and his boss's story impressed me. The teenager has to earn money for him and his younger brothers, he don't want to talk about his parents. The reporter ask the boss: do you feel guilty to hire a teenager? He answer: no, I am helping him, he can learn repair car in my store, he is clever, in 3-5 years, he will be a skilled fixer. If I don't give him the chance/job, his future will be worse. You know, the clever boy would have been in school. Afghanistan's education, economy system had collapsed, they need to re-build, the condition is peaceful and stable country and govt.