Taliban’s political office in Doha, Qatar, has decided to send a three-member delegation of the political office to the international talks on Afghanistan scheduled to be held on November 9 in Moscow, Taliban sources confirmed Tuesday.
“Maulvi Sher Muhammad Stanekzi, head of the Qatar political office, will lead the three member delegation. Only the stance of Islamic Emirate will be presented in the meeting which has no dialogue status,” Taliban official who wished not to be named told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP).
The sources said the Taliban representatives had also attended such other international conferences in the past and presented their stance.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah confirmed to AIP that the decision to attend the Moscow talks on Afghanistan was made today (Tuesday).
“The decision to attend the Moscow meeting was taken today. However, no negotiations would be held with anyone in the meeting rather the ongoing situation in Afghanistan will be discussed. Bringing end to the US occupation will also be discussed and the problems would be identified,” he said.
Earlier, the meeting was due to be held in September but delayed after Afghan President Muhammad Ashraf spoke to Russian foreign minister on August 27.
Though making effective preparations for the meeting were declared as the main cause of the delay and that Moscow and Kabul would jointly host the meeting, some reports suggest that no representative of Afghan government will attend the conference rather only the peace council’s representatives will participant in the meeting.
It is said that Russia has invited 11 countries including central Asian states to attend the conference.
