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US Defense Chief Arrives in Afghanistan on Surprise Visit

by VOA News

   U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says small factions of Taliban forces
   fighting the U.S.-backed Afghan government have expressed an interest
   in negotiating an end to the 16-year war.

   Mattis made the suggestion Tuesday before arriving in Kabul on an
   unannounced visit to discuss President Ashraf Ghani's plan to open
   peace talks with the Taliban. The former Marine general said it "may be
   a bridge too far" to expect the Islamic insurgent force to sit down at
   the negotiating table "in one fell swoop."

   The Taliban has previously offered to hold talks on a possible peace
   agreement, but only directly with the United States, which Mattis
   rejects. "We want the Afghans to lead and provide the substance to the
   reconciliation effort," he told reporters.

   Mattis said the ultimate victory in Afghanistan will be a "political
   reconciliation" between Kabul and the Taliban, with a country capable
   of handling its own security.

   President Ghani offered late last month to hold unconditional talks
   with the Taliban and recognize the group as a political party that
   would contest elections. The president also said the government will
   provide passports for Taliban members and their families, along with
   office space in Kabul.

   In exchange for these provisions, Ghani said the Taliban should
   officially recognize the Western-backed Afghan government and the
   country's constitution.

   Afghanistan has been mired in war since a U.S.-led campaign that ousted
   the Taliban from power in response to the September 11, 2001 al-Qaida
   terrorist attacks in the United States, and its harboring of al-Qaida
   leader Osama bin Laden.

   The U.S. has increased its military presence and activities in
   Afghanistan under a more aggressive policy ordered by President Donald
   Trump, boosting the number of forces from 8,500 to about 14,000.

   Although the stepped-up U.S. presence has caused heavy casualties among
   Taliban forces, the insurgents control much of the country, and are
   still capable of launching deadly attacks on civilians.