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    March 10, 2012

Taliban Prisoners Choose Qatar Over Guantanamo

   VOA News
   Afghan detainees, seen through a mesh wire fence, prepare for noon
   prayers inside the Parwan detention facility near Bagram Air Field in
   Afghanistan, March 23, 2011.
   Photo: AP
   Afghan detainees, seen through a mesh wire fence, prepare for noon
   prayers inside the Parwan detention facility near Bagram Air Field in
   Afghanistan, March 23, 2011.

   Five high-profile Taliban militants held at the U.S. military prison at
   Guantanamo Bay may soon be headed for confinement in Qatar.
   Senior Afghan officials told media organizations Saturday the five
   prisoners have given their consent to the transfer to the Gulf state.
   The transfer still needs to be approved by the United States, and
   several U.S. lawmakers with knowledge of the proposal have voiced
   strong opposition.
   The possible deal is meant as an incentive for the Taliban to begin
   serious peace talks with the government of Afghan President Hamid
   Karzai.
   One of Karzai's representatives met with the Taliban prisoners earlier
   this week to secure their consent for the transfer.
   The Afghan Taliban have reportedly begun preliminary talks with U.S.
   officials in Qatar and have previously announced plans to open a
   political office there.
   The group has repeatedly refused to negotiate with the Afghan
   government.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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