Taliban Says It's Ready For Talks With Kabul

Afghan President Hamid Karzai speaking in Kabul on September 9 (AFP) September 10, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- The Taliban said today it is ready for talks with the Afghan government, one day after President Hamid Karzai offered negotiations in a bid to end the ongoing insurgency.

However, a purported spokesman for the insurgent group, Yusuf Ahmadi, said that it does not believe Karzai's suggestion for talks is "sincere."

Speaking by phone with RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan, Ahmadi said Karzai wants the Taliban to come forward to "apologize for their actions and put down their weapons." But at the same time, he said, the Afghan government's Western supporters "have put a several-million-dollar bounty on the Taliban leaders' heads."

The Taliban's fugitive spiritual leader, Mullah Muhammad Omar, and other Taliban officials are wanted by the United States, and rewards have been offered for their capture.

During a news conference on September 9, Karzai reiterated his government's willingness to negotiate with the Taliban and other militants, including former Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's radical Hizb-e Islami faction.

"We have already suggested holding negotiations with the Taliban and Hizb-e Islami, and we repeat it, as well," Karzai said. "In fact, we have to be ready for talks with every Afghan, and I confirm [former Afghan President Burhanuddin] Rabbani's comment in this regard. He said peace without negotiations is just not possible. Any Afghan who is ready to come to his country and assist the peaceful development of his country is most welcome."

Karzai set up a reconciliation commission in 2005 to persuade rebels to put down their weapons. According to Afghan officials, some 2,000 low-level Taliban and other militants have signed up.

In the past two years, Taliban militants have intensified their insurgency, which they launched after being removed from power in 2001.

The United Nations says 183 Afghan and 10 international soldiers have been killed so far this year by suicide bombings blamed on the Taliban.

(with agency reports)