Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Pakistan says willing to assist Afghan talks
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Pakistan says willing to assist Afghan talks
Reuters - 1 hour 38 minutes ago
Send
IM Story
Print
By David Brunnstrom
BRUSSELS - Pakistan said on Friday it was willing to assist talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, and NATO confirmed its forces had helped ensure a senior Taliban commander reached Kabul.
NATO and U.S. officials have said they are ready to do more to help Afghan President Hamid Karzai's reconciliation efforts with the Taliban, but Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the talks must be led by Afghanistan itself.
"We are there to facilitate. Because we want to see a stable, peaceful Afghanistan. It's in Pakistan's interest to have stability and peace in Afghanistan," Qureshi said in Brussels before talks on Pakistan's economic development.
A senior Pakistani official familiar with the contacts between the Afghan government and the Taliban said they had been made possible by the lifting of U.S. opposition. Defence Secretary Robert Gates said this week Washington would do whatever it takes to put peace talks on track.
"I don't know whether these contacts will succeed or not but the process has been set into motion," the Pakistani official said. "It's just the beginning and this in itself is a success because earlier there has been opposition."
Pakistan's backing for talks is important. Although it is officially an ally in NATO's campaign against Islamist militancy in Afghanistan, it has been accused of playing a double game by covertly supporting militants fighting there.
Islamabad was the main backer of the Taliban when it was in power in Afghanistan, and has been concerned by the influence that its nuclear-armed rival India has on the Kabul government.
NATO FACILITATES PASSAGE
U.S. General David Petraeus, who commands U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, said in London that NATO-led forces had helped ensure a senior Taliban commander was able to reach Kabul to hold talks with the Afghan government.
Petraeus, commander of the International Security Assistance Force , said several senior Taliban leaders had been in touch with the Afghan government and other countries involved in Afghanistan. He described the talks as preliminary.
"In certain respect we do facilitate that," he said.
He added that "it would not be the easiest of tasks for a senior Taliban commander to enter Afghanistan and make his way to Kabul if ISAF were not ... aware of it and therefore allows it to take place."
Such comments point to a bigger Western role than previously acknowledged as Kabul seeks a political resolution to the war.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said he was sure Pakistan would want to play a positive role in ending the conflict and all nations in the region should add their support.
"It's very much in their interests to do so of course because it will help to bring peace to their border areas," he told reporters in Brussels.
Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, said in Brussels he was gratified Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani had offered Islamabad's help, and Pakistan and other countries had a security interest in events in Afghanistan.
BLOODIEST PHASE OF CONFLICT
Almost 50 senior officials in the international contact group on Afghanistan are due to meet in Rome on Monday to discuss progress towards transferring responsibility for security and development to the Afghan government.
Holbrooke and Petraeus are expected at the talks which will be attended for the first time by a representative from Iran.
U.S. and NATO leaders caution, however, that reconciliation is a complex process that may not happen quickly.
The conflict is in its bloodiest phase since U.S.-led forces overthrew the Taliban in 2001, and more than 2,000 foreign troops have been killed since the fighting started, more than half of them in the last two years.
This has fed disillusionment with the war among Western nations contributing to the 150,000-strong NATO-led force.
Afghan and U.S. officials say a peace deal is still only a distant possibility, although the prospect is drawing increased attention before the United States starts withdrawing its nearly 100,000 troops from Afghanistan next July.
U.S. and NATO officials say any reconciliation with the Taliban would require individuals to lay down their arms, cut links with terrorist groups and respect the Afghan constitution.
The Taliban have rejected such conditions and say they will not negotiate unless NATO troops leave Afghanistan.
The Taliban deny any contacts with Kabul. But official sources say the preliminary discussions involved the three main insurgent groups -- the Afghan Taliban led by Mullah Omar, the Haqqani network and the Hizb-ul-Islami Gulbuddin led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Pakistan says willing to assist Afghan talks Reuters - 1 hour 38 minutes ago
Aussie hits parity with US dollar AFP - 2 hours 46 minutes ago
US drone strike 'kills three in Pakistan' AFP - Saturday, October 16
China metes out fines for Brazil basketball brawl AFP - Saturday, October 16
Sacked Pakistan judges fear repeat performance Reuters - Saturday, October 16
News Search
Top Stories
New Israeli settlement plan sparks Palestinian fury
Sarkozy sends in police to break fuel blockade
US Fed ups talk of intervention to save recovery
Dollar under pressure before Bernanke speaks
Paris airports pipeline cut amid protests: company
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Indestructible McDonalds burger amazes US
Paris airports pipeline cut amid protests: company
Time to find a second Earth, WWF says
Indonesian civil servants stumble over unusual test
'Bandit' Obama billboard sparks storm in US city
More Most Viewed »
Too much TV psychologically harms kids: study
Workers swarm Europe's streets in anti-cuts protests
British lottery winner gets record 129 mln euros
'A billion people' go hungry in 2010: report
Global marine life census charts vast world beneath the seas
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Entertainment
Photos
Yahoo! News Network
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Friday, 15 October 2010 Sudan Abyei vote deadline "impossible"
French strike sparks street clashes, fuel warnings
France warns motorists against panic-buying fuel
Eight NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan
Wave of takeovers as Chavez speeds up revolution
|
Verizon to join AT&T in selling Apple iPads
Clinton urges wealthy Pakistanis to dig into pockets
NATO backs Taliban talks, vows no halt to military action
Chavez in Moscow to talk energy, defence
Melzer defeats Nadal at Shanghai tennis Masters
Bloggers bitter over Chile mine rescue in tragedy-hit Russia
At Lebanon border, Ahmadinejad predicts Israel's demise
French woman on trial for burqa assault
|
Moody's downgrades US newspaper outlook to 'negative'
US trade deficit swells amid record China gap
Renegade commander starts talks with South Sudan
|
Ahmadinejad declares "Zionists as mortal" near Israel border
US-TECH Summary
Ex-President Carter to start Mideast peace tour
|
OPEC holds oil output, warns on risks to recovery
Third day of protests in France as strikes grind on
|
Mobile phones help lift poor out of poverty: U.N. study
Israelis wary ahead of Ahmadinejad border tour
South Lebanon abuzz ahead of Ahmadinejad visit
Serra draws closer in Brazil poll, markets react
|
Emotional Chile mine rescue strikes chord with public, media
Pakistan militant variety tests West security: U.S.
|
Five NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan
Pakistan flood reconstruction to cost $9.7 billion
Beijing officials trained in social media: report
NATO: 8 service members killed in Afghanistan
Clinton urges wealthy Pakistanis to dig into pockets
N.Korean agency apparently opens foreign-language website
China calls for resumption of N.Korea nuclear talks
Need a lift? Phone your car and it'll pick you up
Indonesia says China interested in shipwreck treasure
Mobile phones help lift poor out of poverty: U.N. study
Jolie battles to film directorial debut in Bosnia
U.S. says to do "whatever it takes" on Afghan talks
Mobile phones help lift poor out of poverty: U.N. study
|
Hiroshima, Nagasaki protest US nuclear test
FCC weighs creating fund to boost broadband
|
A Minute with: Clint Eastwood on death, afterlife
Hitler exhibition breaks taboos in Berlin
Thai PM says intervention cannot stop baht's rise
Global regulatory body agrees on new banking rules: official
Japan will take 'resolute' action on yen if needed: Kan
Toyota mulls halting Corolla exports on strong yen: reports
Hilary Swank film draws ire of victim's family
|
Singer Christina Aguilera files for divorce
|
Furor over Ground Zero mosque prompts View walkout
|
Lady Gaga buys back unreleased music from auction
|
After Chile rescue, U.S. to get mining reality TV show
|
Star Wars dub sends jobbing ad man into orbit
|
Taliban torch NATO truck in Pakistan, two dead
Russia, Georgia talks 'difficult' over refugees
Heartfelt homecoming for Chile's rescued miners
|
French strike sparks street clashes, fuel warnings
US soldier may face punishment for aid worker death
US videogame sales remain uninspired
Indestructible McDonalds burger amazes US
Chavez in Moscow to talk energy, defence
China leaders gather to map economic, political plans
|
Sudan Abyei vote deadline "impossible"
Google profit soars in third quarter
Ahmadinejad, near Israel border, says "Zionists mortal"
Obama Congratulates Chile's Pinera
Administration Moves Against Court Ruling On DADT, Obama Promises Otherwise
"Supernanny" Premiere Takes On The Show's Most Troubled Teen
Ed Gordon To Interview Condoleeza Rice On BET
AMD posts net loss, beats expectations
Chest Compressions May Be Key To Heart Attack Patients' Survival
U.N. envoy urges sanctions for rebel over Congo rapes
|
shares surge on acquisition report
Funkshion: Fashion Week Miami Fast Approaching This Month
Havana takes a hit as Tropical Storm Paula passes
|
Katy Perry, Paramore To Salute The Troops On "VH1 Divas" Special
U.S. offshore agency excited over Google power line
Blumenthal Gains In Connecticut; McMahon Still Unpopular With Women
Sudan Abyei vote deadline impossible: north
|
Disney Reveals "Who Is Hannah Montana?" On New DVD
Reform calls mount as China's Communists meet
Bruno Mars Spends Fourth Week At #1 On Billboard Hot 100 With "Just The Way You Are"
North Korean appeal over age-lies ban rejected
Texting tops with US teens
Tom Cruise eyed for role in 'Top Gun' sequel: report
Latest Wall Street movie 'just a drama', says director
Lutheran church celebrates 100 years in Namibia
Seagate in buyout talks, TPG involved: sources
|
Pakistan flood reconstruction to cost $9.7 billion
Facebook joins forces with Skype
Sony Ericsson Q3 phone shipments fall, profits hit
|
Feng shui gives Italian wine the feel good factor
Melzer defeats Nadal in Shanghai surprise
Texting tops with US teens
Obama 'trapped' by Bollywood kidnap comedy
Pakistan foils plot to kill prime minister
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Singapore businessman withdraws Liverpool bid
U.S. offshore agency excited over Google power line
|
US, reversing course, backs Afghan peace effort
Tom Cruise eyed for role in 'Top Gun' sequel: report
Philippine massacre clan member killed: police
Sorkin defends "Social Network" in blog comment
Marvel, ABC prep TV return for "Incredible Hulk"
De Niro, Weaver to star in "Red Lights"
US porn movie shutdown grows after HIV scare
Weinstein Co. to appeal "Blue Valentine" rating
AirAsia planning to list Thai unit next year
China says yuan must not be 'scapegoat' for US woes
Seoul shares end up 0.1 pct on tech shares
China housing prices resume rise in September
Jackass 3D expected to lead weekend box office
|
Honda recalls 127,000 cars in Brazil
Rapper T.I. denies suicide save was publicity stunt
|
Taiwan stocks fall, pulled down by HTC and Mediatek
Tom Cruise eyed for role in 'Top Gun' sequel: report
|
Pakistani July-Sept foreign investment falls 28.5 pct
Oprah gives Jon Stewart audience D.C. rally tickets
|
Sopranos colleagues reunite for '60s-set film
|
India's Infosys second quarter profit up 13.2 percent
Weinstein Co. to appeal Blue Valentine rating
|
Japan ready to intervene again on strong yen
De Niro, Weaver to star in Red Lights
|
PAKISTAN
Marvel, ABC prep TV return for Incredible Hulk
|
Sorkin defends Social Network in blog comment
|
Amy Adams, Chris Cooper eyeing Muppet movie
|
TED Talks take to iPad
NATO allowed Taliban official to Kabul: Petraeus
|
Sarkozy sends in police to break fuel blockade
Dollar under pressure before Bernanke speaks
Russia to build nuclear power station in Venezuela
|
Prosecutors launch tax inquiry against Berlusconi
Paris airports pipeline cut amid protests: company
Hungary spill plant to restart, villagers return
|
World's longest tunnel nears completion under Swiss Alps
Iran welcomes nuclear talks offer, seeks dates
|
World's longest tunnel completed under Swiss Alps
Swiss break through in world's longest tunnel
|
Somali gunmen abduct British aid worker, free Somali
|
Russia to build nuclear power plant in Venezuela
|
Nigeria court sacks state governor months before polls
|
Palestinians protest new Jerusalem housing plan
|
US drone strike 'kills three in Pakistan'
China metes out fines for Brazil basketball brawl
Sacked Pakistan judges fear repeat performance
Tight military budgets scale down South China Sea wargames
Tom Cruise eyed for role in "Top Gun" sequel: report
Pakistan says willing to assist Afghan talks
Thousands in Rome to celebrate Australia's first saint
Oprah gives Jon Stewart audience D.C. rally tickets
Google trumps Wall Street targets
|
Pakistani stocks end up; rupee weakens; o/n rates flat
Reform calls mount as China's Communists meet
HP hires Nokia exec to run mobile software
|
Taiwan dlr eases on c.bank selling after volatile wk
Activists challenge Beijing over Nobel prisoner
Non-retail video game sales hit $2.9 billion
|
Hackers in China steal S.Korean secrets: Seoul
Japan warns of more currency intervention
Japan's political kingpin Ozawa fights indictment
Japan exits Iran's biggest onshore oil field project
Indian students slam Bollywood's 'inaccurate' Aussie flick
Mother of teen "sex addict" sues "Tyra" show
"Sopranos" colleagues reunite for '60s-set film
Oprah gives Jon Stewart audience D.C. rally tickets
Richards: Mick Jagger was unbearable
|
Mother of teen sex addict sues Tyra show
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights