ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON: As Pakistan-backed peace talks between the United States and Taliban ended in Abu Dhabi with an understanding to reconvene, US special representative Zalmay Khalilzad on Wednesday described the meetings with “Afghan and international partners to promote intra-Afghan dialogue towards ending the conflict” as “productive”.

The US special envoy for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan during his brief stopover here met Pakistan army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters to follow up on the two days of parleys in the Emirati capital before leaving for Kabul to take the Afghan leadership on board.

While the Afghan government could not take part in the negotiations because of Taliban’s refusal to talk to the Ghani government, US embassy spokesman Richard Snelsire said: “The special representative expressed his appreciation for Pakistan’s efforts to encourage the Taliban to negotiate directly with the Afghan government and other senior Afghan political figures to reach a political settlement that ends the war in Afghanistan”.

There was no official word on the outcome of talks from Pakistan’s Foreign Office. The Taliban have not confirmed meeting Afghan officials, saying they had held “preliminary talks” with the US envoy. They also said they had held “extensive” meetings with officials from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and the UAE, repeating demands for international forces to be withdrawn from Afghanistan.

Khalilzad meets COAS Gen Bajwa before leaving for Kabul to take Afghan leadership on board

The latest talks between the Taliban and the US peace envoy focused on the withdrawal of Nato troops, release of prisoners and halting attacks on civilians by pro-government forces, a Taliban spokesman said on Wednesday.

UAE’s state-run wire service Emirates News Agency stated: “The two-day Afghan reconciliation conference fructified in tangible results that are positive for all parties concerned.” Another round would be held soon to “complete the Afghanistan reconciliation process”, it added.

During his brief stop in Pakistan, Mr Khalilzad tweeted: “Just met w #Pakistan leaders to update them on the state of play following our meetings in UAE. Looking forward to meeting Afghan leaders in Kabul, #Afghanistan tonight.”

Gen Bajwa reassured the US envoy that Pakistan would continue its efforts for peace and stability in the region, according to Pakistan military’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The special envoy later left for Kabul to meet the Afghan leadership and apprise them about Abu Dhabi talks.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, according to VoA, said: “Future negotiation meetings shall continue after deliberations and consultations by both sides with their respective leaderships.”

In a significant development, three representatives of the Haqqani network Hafiz Yahya, Saadullah Hamas and Dr Faqeer, who goes only by a single name were also present at the talks, according to a Taliban official, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the talks. This would be the first time a US envoy has met representatives of the Haqqani network, declared a terrorist group by Washington and considered one of the most lethal fighting forces in Afghanistan.

Although part of the Taliban, the Haqqani network has its own military committee. Its leader, Sirajuddin Haqqani, is deputy head of the Taliban. Their prowess on the battlefield makes their presence at the meeting particularly significant because it’s unlikely any agreement could be enforced without their support.

At the meeting, Mr Khalilzad pressed for the release of two professors from the American University of Afghanistan — American Kevin King, 61, and Australian Timothy Weeks — who were kidnapped from Kabul in August 2016, the Taliban official said.

A 2017 video message from King revealed he was in poor health. It is widely believed the two Westerners are being held by the Haqqani group. Haqqanis have been demanding the release of Anas Haqqani, a brother of Sirajuddin captured by Afghan intelligence agents in 2014. Apparently, Taliban leader Haibaitullah Akhundzada ordered the three to attend the UAE meetings, the official said.

“We called for an end to the invasion and they insisted on the exchange of prisoners, including teachers of the university,” said the Taliban official, adding that there was no discussion about a ceasefire and “we do not hold any discussions on Afghanistan’s internal issues with the Americans and we do not want any advice from anyone”.

Two former inmates at the US prison in Guantanamo Bay, ex-Taliban army chief Mohammed Fazle and former governor of western Herat province Khairullah Khairkhwa were also at the meetings.

The Afghan government sent a delegation including National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib to the UAE, but it did not take part in the talks, instead held separate talks with the US special envoy.

Mr Khalilzad said he would like to see a “roadmap” agreement reached before Afghan presidential elections, scheduled for next April.

US military presence in Afghanistan Asked at the latest news briefing if issues relating to a six-month ceasefire and Taliban demand for withdrawal of all foreign troops from Afghanistan were discussed in Abu Dhabi, US State Department’s deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino said: “I’m not going … to discuss details of private diplomatic conversations. But the US military presence in Afghanistan remains conditions-based, and that’s the cornerstone of the administration’s strategy.”

He said Mr Khalilzad “continues to work with all interested parties in close coordination with the Afghan people and the Afghan government to facilitate intra-Afghan dialogue and negotiations”.

“The meetings in Abu Dhabi are part of US efforts to promote an intra-Afghan dialogue towards ending the conflict in Afghanistan. And this is part of our South Asia strategy,” he said.

“We have long said that war in Afghanistan will only end when Afghans sit together with mutual respect and acceptance and discuss a political roadmap for their future. So our efforts and those of our partners are focused on this objective right now.”

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2018