Taliban, Afghan officials to hold talks near Paris: France

Paris: French Foreign Minister said that officials from the Afghan government, the Taliban rebel movement and other factions would meet this week near Paris to discuss the country’s future as NATO troops prepare to pull out in 2014.

Laurent Fabius, whose country withdrew the last of its combat troops from Afghanistan on Saturday, said Afghan President Hamid Karzaihad given his green light to the meeting. “Discreet talks have been taking place between different factions for three years,”Fabius said. “If you want peace, it’s usually between people who don’t agree, and over there they don’t talk to each other. So there will be discussions, but it won’t be negotiations.” On the other hand, a Taliban spokesman said that there would only be speeches at the conference and there would be no political commitments and no negotiations would take place. The officials are due to meet between Wednesday and Friday at a secret location to the north of Paris, which will be entirely closed off, said Camille Grand, director of the Foundation for Strategic Research, a think tank which is organising the event. http://rtilive.pk/detail/7935 Right to Information Pakistan Live, RTI Live, Information Pakistan, RTI online Research ORganization,pakistan,news pakistan, pakistan news,punjab,lahore,Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Laurent Fabius, French Foreign Minister, Afghan government, Taliban rebel movement, director of the Foundation for Strategic Research,