By Oliver Pickup Last updated at 12:42 PM on 30th August 2011 The Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, is believed to have scuppered talks held between U.S. and Taliban officials Secret talks between representatives of the United States and the Taliban were closing in on a deal to free a kidnapped army sergeant, but were scuppered when Hamid Karzai's aides leaked information about them. Both U.S. and Afghan officials confirmed that the 54-year-old Afghan president kiboshed potential horse-trading with the Taliban, as he feared being out of the loop. Though the discussions, held in Germany and Qatar, were only at a preliminary stage, a trade which would see Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, of Hailey, Idaho, captured two years ago, was mooted.
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The release of Afghan prisoners from Guantanamo Bay was also discussed
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Officials hoped to snare Mullah Mohammed Omar, linchpin of the Taliban
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While the @placeholder will continue to pursue talks, the trust of such meetings have been affected.