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Taliban Expects Peace Deal With US in Next Meeting

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - The Taliban says it is hopeful an agreement will be reached
   with the United States to end the 18-year-old war in Afghanistan when
   the two adversaries meet later this week in Qatar for a crucial round
   of peace negotiations.

   The two sides have worked hard for nearly one year and almost drafted a
   text in which "we have addressed all major issues," Suhail Shaheen, who
   speaks for the Taliban negotiating team, told VOA.

   Taliban negotiators have done their part and it is now up to the
   American side whether they have "made up their mind" and take the next
   step of winding up the dialogue process, he asserted.

   "We hope to reach an agreement on the troops' withdrawal," Shaheen said
   when asked for his exceptions from the upcoming meeting, though he
   declined to say when exactly the talks will take place.

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