Peace Talks Between The Afghan Government And The Taliban Open In Qatar

VOA: Afghan Rivals Begin Historic Peace Talks; US Cautiously Optimistic

ISLAMABAD - The United States pressed Afghanistan’s warring factions Saturday to approach their first-ever direct peace talks with an intent to strike a power-sharing deal that would accommodate “competing views” and permanently end decades of bloodshed in the country.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made the remarks at a special ceremony in Doha, Qatar, marking the start of the U.S.-brokered dialogue, known as intra-Afghan negotiations, between delegates of the Taliban insurgency and the government of Afghanistan.

“Today is a truly momentous occasion. Afghans have at long last chosen to sit together and chart a new course for your country. This is a moment to dare to hope,” Pompeo said.

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WNU Editor: They may be talking, but the war on the ground continues .... Afghan forces, Taliban continue to clash even as peace talks start (Reuters).

Update: If history is any indication, I would say no .... Afghanistan peace talks begin – but will the Taliban hold up their end of the deal? (Sher Jan Ahmadzai, The Conversation).

More News On Peace Talks Beginning Between The Afghan Government And The Taliban

Taliban and Afghan government meet for 'historic' talks, raising hopes for peace -- NBC
Afghanistan Peace Talks Open in Qatar, Seeking End to Decades of War -- New York Times
Afghanistan-Taliban Talks Begin In Attempt To End 19 Years Of Bloodshed -- NPR
Afghan peace talks with Taliban begin in Doha with rocky path ahead -- The Guardian
Afghanistan peace talks begin in Qatar; Pompeo says 'we must dare to hope' -- FOX News
Historic Afghan peace talks fraught with uncertainty -- AP
Explainer: Afghan-Taliban peace talks: who, what, where and why -- Reuters