TALK WITH THE TALIBAN?

 In Afghanistan and elsewhere all are in a hurry these days. What with the large scale destruction and displacement the people of Afghanistan are desperate and disappointed. Obama is now more anxious to find a way to get out of Afghanistan. Last week in a fit of anger Karzai, the Afghan president said that he would join the Taliban unless the American helped him. Slowly and gradually it has dawned on everyone concerned with Afghanistan that it is not easy if not impossible to defeat the Taliban. Another point that is not to the liking of many is the realization that there cannot be a long lasting settlement without the participation of the Taliban.

The goal of the present military operation in Afghanistan is to strengthen the bargaining power of the of the Karzai government vis a vis the Taliban at the negotiation table and produce what they describe as ‘reasonable outcomes’. All the same no one seems to have a clue about the ‘reasonable outcome” or what could be ‘reasonable’.

Britain also wants the Afghan administration to speed up the political process and reach a settlement as early as possible. The Germans that has had to face the ire of the Afghan people recently for attacks on the civilians want to get out of the quick sand early.

Meanwhile Karzai has planned to convene a meeting of the innumerable tribal leaders. Karzai is a member of the Peshthun ethnic group. Most of the Taliban fighters also belong to this group. No wonder the president addresses the militants as ‘our disenchanted brothers’. The president and the army find it increasingly difficult to carry on the fighting against their ‘brothers’. There are even reports that the government has established contacts with the militants. However, the opposition believes that it is impossible to accommodate the Taliban in the future scheme of things.

The Americans are a worried lot. They are in a double bind. If negotiations with the Taliban would help Karzai to widen his support base and persuade the Taliban to lay down arms they would not oppose it. At the same time they do not trust Karzai much. What if Karzai failed (or refused) to disarm the Taliban?

Many questions pop in the mind of those who observe the developments in Afghanistan. Are the groups of Taliban described as ‘sane’ and ‘good’ are really sane and good? Can they ensure the safety of the people and the region? What if the ‘insane’ and ‘bad’ Taliban overpowered the ‘sane’ and ‘good’?