US announces formal peace talks over Afghanistan with Taliban

Updated June 19, 2013 13:19:00

The United States and the Afghan government will sit face to face with the Taliban holding direct peace talks, in an attempt to find a political solution to the war in Afghanistan. But just hours after the White House announced it would begin formal talks, four US soldiers were killed at Bagram Airbase near Kabul.

Source: The World Today | Duration: 4min 20sec

Topics: unrest-conflict-and-war, world-politics, afghanistan, united-states


ELEANOR HALL: To the latest developments in Afghanistan now and just hours after the White House announced it would begin formal talks with the Taliban, as it prepares to withdraw its forces from the country, insurgents killed four US soldiers at Bagram airbase near Kabul.

The attack happened just after NATO handed over security for the whole of Afghanistan to the Karzai government.

In a moment we'll hear from a former US ambassador to Afghanistan about the prospect that the talks with the Taliban will bring an end to the violence.

But first, this report from Will Ockenden.

WILL OCKENDEN: It was 12 years ago when the US forces first invaded Afghanistan, determined to purge the nation of the Taliban and smash the terrorist network al-Qaeda.


WILL OCKENDEN: The United States was still badly hurting from the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

In the days after, president George W. Bush stood among the still smoking rubble, where the Twin Towers once stood.

GEORGE BUSH: I can hear you, the rest of the world hears you, and the people who knocked these people down will hear all of us soon.

(Sound of crowd cheering)

WILL OCKENDEN: America launched Operation Enduring Freedom, to defeat the Taliban and setup a new government.

US forces quickly captured the major cities, and drove the Taliban into the remote mountainous areas along the Pakistani border.

But then in 2003, international focus shifted to the Iraq War, giving the Taliban the chance to regroup and rebuild its influence.

When he took power several years later, president Barack Obama called Afghanistan "the good war". He increased troop numbers and set out a timeline for withdrawal.

Analysts gradually came to accept there would be no military victory in Afghanistan, only a political one, before the Western forces left by the end of 2014.

Now president Obama says the US, the Afghan government and the Taliban will sit down together, and open direct peace talks in Qatar within the week.

BARACK OBAMA: Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process is the best way to end the violence and to ensure lasting stability in Afghanistan and the region.

WILL OCKENDEN: Taliban spokesman, Mohammad Naeem.

MOHAMMAD NAEEM (translation): The Islamic emirate of Afghanistan in addition to its military efforts also has political goals and strategies related only to Afghanistan and will not allow anyone to use Afghan soil to threaten the security of other countries.

WILL OCKENDEN: That's one statement the US was specifically looking for, but it also wants the Taliban to break ties with al Qaeda, respect the rights of women and minorities, and renounce the use of violence.

US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki say negotiations could take many years.

JEN PSAKI: Today the Taliban has released a statement that said two things - that they oppose the use of Afghan soil to threaten other countries and they support an Afghan peace process. The US of course acknowledges these statements for which we have long called and which fulfil the requirements for the Taliban to open an office in Doha, for the purpose of negotiations with the Afghan government.

WILL OCKENDEN: However trust between the Afghan government and the Taliban is described as low.

There's also no guarantee that any agreements will be honoured by the Taliban fighters in the field.

In his latest update on the war in Afghanistan, the Australian Defence Minister, Stephen Smith, has supported the announcement of direct peace talks.

STEPHEN SMITH: Australia also welcomes the fact that United States representatives will meet the Taliban in Doha, for talks aimed at achieving peace in Afghanistan.

WILL OCKENDEN: The Afghanistan war has taken a deadly toll.

More than 3,300 Coalition troops have been killed and more than 10,000 Afghan forces troops are dead. Civilian deaths are even higher.

Stephen Smith paid tribute to Australia's sacrifices in the war.

STEPHEN SMITH: Australia's mission in Afghanistan has come at a substantial price. We've lost 39 ADF members and 254 personal have been wounded in action to date.

WILL OCKENDEN: Pakistan meanwhile has welcomed the announcement of peace talks.

The Taliban is still thought to still rely heavily on Pakistani support, so its cooperation is crucial in any potential political settlement.

However, deep issues remain, including what roles Taliban allies such as the Haqqani network will play.

The network also has strong connections with al Qaeda.

ELEANOR HALL: Will Ockenden.