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January 4, 2012

Taliban Suggests Potential of U.S. Talks 
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The Taliban has opened the door to talks with the United States on
potentially ending the war in Afghanistan. On Tuesday, the Taliban
confirmed it would open a political office in Qatar that could pave the
way for negotiations. The Taliban also called for the release of its
leaders still imprisoned by the U.S. military at Guantánamo Bay. The
statement made no mention of the Afghan government, which the United
States has said must take a leading role in any talks for
reconciliation. In Washington, State Department spokesperson Victoria
Nuland repeated that stance.

Victoria Nuland, State Department spokesperson: "We are not aware of any
formal decision. We're not aware of any formal announcement. But we are
prepared to support a process that the Afghans support and with regard
to any office. You know, it would be a question for the host country,
the Afghans and the Afghan Taliban to agree on. You don't negotiate a
peace deal at the end of a war with your friends. We've seen in many
other conflict situations that you have to have a political address if
you're going to begin a political conversation."



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