Pakistan may attend Afghan talks, claim sources

[Farooq]

WASHINGTON: Diplomatic circles in Washington are expecting a low level participation from Pakistan in the conference on Afghanistan kicking off today in the German city of Bonn, DawnNews reported.

Sources claimed that Pakistan might attend the talks on a diplomatic level.

The breakthrough was made possible after US President Barack Obama held a telephonic conversation with President Asif Ali Zardari, sources added.

Why am I not surprised?!

 

[karan.1970]

Yeah.. Me neither.. if its true that is

 

[Jango]

Most probably not true.

I would like to ask one thing, may seem foolish. All the players in Afghanistan are being called in for this conference, so, why not the Taliban. Are they not a major player in this?

Take the talks to somewhere in Asia in Afghanistan or somewhere else, and then invite the Taliban as well. Give them assurances and see their view point as well.

 

[Oldman1]

Noooo Pakistan, don't do it. Show your resistance against the Americans and Afghans.

 

[salvage]

Dosent matters if a peon from Foreign Ministry attends or the Foreign Minister herself....attendance is attendace and we should refrain from it at all cost.

 

[Devil Soul]

Pakistan says no change in position on Bonn conference
By Reuters
Published: December 5, 2011
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Monday it had no plans to reverse a decision to boycott a conference on the future of Afghanistan in Bonn in protest over a NATO strike, even though US President Barack Obama had expressed regret over the incident.

“There is no change in our position vis-à-vis the Bonn conference,” Abdul Basit, Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman, told Reuters after Obama spoke to President Asif Ali Zardari offering condolences over the strike.

Media reports had earlier cited diplomats in Washington stating that they were expecting a low level participation from Pakistan at the conference.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had earlier voiced regret over the decision because she said Pakistan had a stake in a secure and stable Afghanistan, but aides travelling with her denied Pakistan’s absence would undermine the conference.

The Nov 26 NATO air raid, which killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, has added to strains in relations with Islamabad, whose cooperation Washington views as crucial to helping to stabilize the region before most foreign combat troops leave Afghanistan in 2014.

 

[Doctor09]

Pakistan should not attend Afghan Talks at any level

 

[Omar1984]

What a joke. Zardari and his PPP. PPP are a bunch of jokers.

 

[Farooq]

I absolutely despise Busharaff, but this Ghadari is 10 times worse!

 

[zer_0]

What a joke. Zardari and his PPP. PPP are a bunch of jokers.

dont underestimate him!!!!

 

[Safriz]

Pakistan shouldn't attend the conference..its a trap.

 

[Safriz]

CNN showing Live video from Bonn Conference and Pakistan isnt there.

---------- Post added at 02:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:34 PM ----------

Pakistan not attending Bonn meet regrettable: Ban Ki Moon - The Economic Times

 

[Safriz]

Now lets put this thread to rest

---------- Post added at 02:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:36 PM ----------

americans will give dollars and our leader will attend after harame obama called our president yesterday.

the conference has started and Pakistan isnt there.

 

[Devil Soul]

Clinton at Afghan talks as aides play down Pakistan boycott
By AFP
Published: December 5, 2011

Aides travelling with Clinton deny Pakistan's absence would undermine the conference. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
BONN, GERMANY: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived here for international talks Monday aimed at charting a course for Afghanistan after Nato combat troops withdraw, as her aides played down a boycott by Pakistan.
Clinton will meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and other Afghan officials at a conference in Bonn that is also aimed at ensuring international financial and technical support continues after the troops withdraw in 2014.
The chief US diplomat will also meet her German and other counterparts from 100 countries and international organizations, but not from Afghanistan’s key neighbor Pakistan, which announced a boycott after a deadly Nato bombing raid.
Clinton has voiced regret over the decision because she said Pakistan has a stake in a secure and stable Afghanistan, but aides travelling with her denied Pakistan’s absence would undermine the conference.
Analysts have said the absence undermines efforts to promote peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban but US officials said neither Washington nor Kabul had current high expectations for reconcilation.
“I don’t think it (the boycott) will impact the conclusions of the conference in any way,” a senior State Department official told reporters on the condition of anonymity during the flight to Bonn from Washington on Sunday.
“We’re all anticipating they (the Pakistanis) will continue to play an important role moving foreward. I wouldn’t read too much into their non appearance tomorrow (Monday),” the official said.
The official instead hailed an Afghan economic strategy which will be unveiled at the conference and which he said shows the Karzai government wishes to take charge of its economic future.
“It’s quite sober. It’s very clear-eyed. It makes a series of specific commitments that they would like to move forward on, on legal and regulatory reforms,” he said.
US officials have long pressed Afghanistan to root out corruption and establish a clear legal and regulatory framework to promote development and boost stability.
The United States plans to distribute in Bonn its own economic strategy for Afghanistan which stresses support for key sectors like agriculture, light manufacturing as well as mining and services, including banking.
----------------
If the absence of PAK will not undermine the Conference than why the hell were u requesting/begging us to plz review ur decision till yesterday.... now u can all enjoy the tea party @ Bonn

 

[Obambam]

5 December 2011 Last updated at 02:17

Afghan conference in Bonn as Nato troops eye exit

A major international conference on Afghanistan's future is due to open in the German city of Bonn on Monday.

Only a small force of US trainers is scheduled to stay in Afghanistan after 2014

It comes 10 years after a similar gathering held in the city, weeks after the Taliban fell from power.

Organisers want to bolster long-term international engagement with Afghanistan and support efforts to restore security.

But key player Pakistan is boycotting the talks in protest at a Nato attack on a border checkpoint last month.

Nato apologised for the air strike on 26 November in which 24 Pakistani troops were killed.

The US and other Western nations have long suspected Pakistan of harbouring the Taliban and other insurgent groups, including the Haqqani network, blamed for attacks on the Afghan side of the border.

Taliban talks?

Many observers regard a long-term commitment to Afghanistan as critical, as most Western forces prepare to leave the country by 2014.

About 1,000 delegates from 100 countries and international organisations are taking part in Monday's gathering.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is among some dozens of senior ministers in attendance.

Much of the worst fighting in the decade-long conflict takes place in eastern Afghanistan, close to the Pakistani border.

More than 500 Nato troops have been killed so far this year in Afghanistan.

"Our objective is a peaceful Afghanistan that will never again become a safe haven for international terrorism," German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said.

Former UN envoy to Afghanistan Lakhdar Brahimi says he argued 10 years ago in favour of immediate moves towards dialogue with the Taliban - which were ousted by the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

Mr Brahimi told the BBC: "We should have tried to find out where they had gone and what they were thinking and if they were interested perhaps to see if we can make room for them."

Efforts to launch talks with the Taliban are under way, but have brought no tangible result so far.

Reconciliation efforts suffered a major setback in September, with the assassination of former President Burhanuddin Rabbani, who was leading Kabul's effort to broker peace with the insurgents.

"Right now we don't know their address. We don't have a door, to knock on," Afghanistan's ambassador to the US, Eklil Hakimi, told AP news agency.

BBC News - Afghan conference in Bonn as Nato troops eye exit