The seventh round of negotiations between Taliban representatives and American diplomats led by US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad began on Saturday in the Qatari capital, Doha. Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, has said the talks were originally due to kick off Saturday morning, but were delayed for a few hours until afternoon. Although details of the negotiations are yet to be revealed, a member of the American delegation has said in an interview with Reuters News Agency that the meeting was the most crucial of all rounds of talks held so far. It was a “make-or-break moment” to halt 18 years of fighting in Afghanistan, said the US official, insisting that there was a genuine sense of expectation on both sides.
The 7th round of talks between American and Taliban interlocutors begins as no common ground has been found in their public statements. The Taliban persist on the announcement of a schedule for foreign troop withdrawal, and refuse to hold direct talks with Afghan government. Americans also insist that no agreement is possible unless all four inter-connected parts: counter-terrorism assurances, troop withdrawal, intra-Afghan negotiations that lead to a political settlement; and a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire are agreed upon. The Taliban’s goal in this round of talks is to reach an agreement with Americans on the troop withdrawal timeline and assurances by the Taliban that Afghanistan will not be used for terrorist attacks against the United States and its allies. According to the Taliban, these two issues are the aspects of the war that Americans are authorized to negotiate with them. Thus, the seventh round is crucial. It seems that if Americans reject the Taliban’s demand for the announcement of a timetable for troop withdrawal, the group may boycott peace talks. There is also a fear that the Taliban’s inflexible demands may prompt Americans to withdraw from the negotiations.
Considering the sensitivity of this round, both sides need to show flexibility. The Taliban must not sacrifice the historic opportunity for peace in Afghanistan for their tenacity as they may have to talk to the government sooner or later, be it the National Unity Government or an interim government. The main issue is that they do not have any other option, but to talk to the government in Kabul; therefore, it is not logical to squander a golden opportunity for peace because of minor differences.