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                  Four-Nation Afghan Peace Talks Open in Kabul

   by Ayaz Gul

   Diplomats from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States have
   began a new round of four-way discussions in Kabul  amid expectations
   the delegates will set a date and venue for the direct peace talks the
   Afghan government wants to conduct with the Taliban.

   In a speech to the delegates Tuesday, Afghan Foreign Minister
   Salahuddin Rabbani reiterated the call for the Taliban and other armed
   groups to join the talks.

   He said that the four-nation group has already prepared a "framework or
   road map" for peace talks and hoped Tuesday's meeting will be able to
   ascertain and propose details such as date and venue for
   direct negotiations with the Taliban before the end of this month.

   The insurgent group, however, has not yet indicated whether it intends
   to join the peace process. Instead the Taliban has intensified its
   insurgent activities across Afghanistan.

   ''

   Rabbani emphasized the need for a "considerable reduction" in insurgent
   violence among other confidence building measures, saying it will help
   "our peace efforts to succeed." He again warned that Afghan security
   forces are ready to deal with Taliban factions who refuse to join peace
   talks and continue to commit bloodshed in the country.

   Separately, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani appointed and introduced the
   new head of the High Peace Council tasked to persuade armed groups to
   end violence and join the national political reconciliation process.

   The council's new chief, Pir Sayed Ahmad Gilani, is a prominent Afghan
   jihadi leader who enjoys respect among the tribes across Afghanistan.

   Former President Hamid Karzai set up the council in 2010 for assisting
   the government in its efforts to promote peace and reconciliation with
   armed opposition groups. But the panel, which consists of prominent
   Afghan religious and political as well as jihadi personalities. has so
   far failed to achieve any significant breakthrough amid growing demands
   for the council's dissolution to save critical state financial
   resources.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/four-nation-afghan-peace-talks-open-in-kabul/3202798.html