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Afghan Taliban Say Peace Deal With US in Sight

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - The Taliban said Saturday that theyexpectednegotiations
   with the United States to conclude the following day, finalizing a
   peace deal to end the 18-year-old war in Afghanistan.

   The crucial ninth round in the yearlong dialogue between the two
   adversaries started Thursday in the traditional venue, the Persian Gulf
   state of Qatar. Afghan-born U.S. diplomatZalmayKhalilzad is leading the
   American team of negotiators.
   Taliban spokesmanZabihullahMujahid told VOA on Saturday that the two
   sides were fleshing out details of a mechanism for U.S.-led foreign
   troops to withdraw from the country.

   'We are hopeful'
   "Inshallah [God willing], this time we are hopeful that each andevery
   thingwill be finalized. Work is underway to streamline the mechanism,
   but there is no such sticking point left that is not agreeable,"
   Mujahid said.
   He said the "mechanism" would outline the nature of an American troop
   drawdown, areas where it will begin and the duration needed to complete
   the process.
   Mujahid said Taliban and American negotiators would require "one more
   day" to shape up the details. He spoke to VOA just before the two sides
   resumed a third day of discussions Saturday night in Doha,
   Qatar.Mujahid would not discuss the foreign troop withdrawal timeline,
   nor has the American side shared specifics.

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