- Reaction score
- 2,580
- Points
- 1,260
Note to Jack Layton: Even the UN won't sanction talks without removing sanctions against Taliban and/or AQ. From a media briefing today - emphasis mine:
(....)
Radio Killid: Recently, the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, has stated that he is ready to hold talks with Mullah Omar and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. This was at the time when he returned from New York – he is saying that this would be done in consultation with the international community. However, these people named by the President are on the United Nations blacklist. What is the United Nations’ position?
UNAMA: I think if you read the President’s comments, you will see very clearly that he was extending an olive branch for talks as he has done on many occasions in the past. And also, I think, he was making a point about Mullah Omar being in hiding.
On the question of a peace process, if talks bring peace, then we of course welcome them. However, the constitution is not up for discussion, nor is deviating from our duties under UN Security Resolution 1267, on measures to do with the Taliban and Al Qaeda.
Radio Killid: If they come and show their willingness for talks with the Government, will they be taken off the blacklist?
UNAMA: That’s a question for the United Nations Security Council. However, I don’t see prospect of them being taken off the 1267 list.
InterNews: UNAMA has recently stated that it is ready to mediate talks between the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban, and now the Taliban side is not ready to hold talks with the Government. How much progress have you so far seen in your mediation, and what is the reason for that?
UNAMA: Mediation is not where we are at right now. It’s very important, I think, that journalists understand exactly where the story is right now - there is no ongoing mediation. What the Special Representative Tom Koenigs has said is that UNAMA stands ready to extend its good offices role if asked. There are developments happening in peace in Afghanistan, and it’s important that the momentum on these continues. But as I said, be wary of running ahead of the game. These things will take time, and they will take patience and determination.
(....)
AP: Yesterday we had an interview with the President Karzai's spokesman, and he was saying that there was a debate among some Taliban about laying down arms. Has the UN heard anything about this?
UNAMA: On the issue of peace prospects, we certainly think there are things happening. But it is still - as I tried to indicate - at a very early stage. I understand that Mullah Omar himself was quoted recently as saying that commanders who might negotiate would be punished. This would imply that some commanders are indeed reaching out. And as you know, the Government has its own strengthening peace (PTS) programme.
(....)
Noorin Television: The special Representative of the Secretary-General has said that he stands ready to mediate talks between the Government and the Taliban. According to some critics, the efforts of the United Nations in bringing peace in Afghanistan have not been proved effective – what do you think about this time around?
UNAMA: You talk again about “mediation” but we have talked only about readiness to extend our good offices role. We must be quite clear on this. This is different to being some kind of go-between in active peace talks. So let’s get the story back to exactly where it is right now. The Special Representative has spoken of a readiness to extend our good offices role, if it’s asked for.
Secondly, if we all believed that we were doomed to permanently repeat the past then it’d be utterly pointless our being here and doing the jobs we do. Of course we believe in possibilities for progress here; that is why we are here, that is why we do our jobs. It really doesn’t make sense to think that if efforts have somehow not proved effective in the past then we cannot succeed in the future.
People are crying out for peace in Afghanistan and clearly together, we have to answer those cries. But we also have to take this a step at a time. The political processes and public enthusiasm will have to go hand in hand. It will take time, it will take patience, it will take determination and it will take hope. And we are hopeful.
(....)
Radio Killid: Recently, the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, has stated that he is ready to hold talks with Mullah Omar and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. This was at the time when he returned from New York – he is saying that this would be done in consultation with the international community. However, these people named by the President are on the United Nations blacklist. What is the United Nations’ position?
UNAMA: I think if you read the President’s comments, you will see very clearly that he was extending an olive branch for talks as he has done on many occasions in the past. And also, I think, he was making a point about Mullah Omar being in hiding.
On the question of a peace process, if talks bring peace, then we of course welcome them. However, the constitution is not up for discussion, nor is deviating from our duties under UN Security Resolution 1267, on measures to do with the Taliban and Al Qaeda.
Radio Killid: If they come and show their willingness for talks with the Government, will they be taken off the blacklist?
UNAMA: That’s a question for the United Nations Security Council. However, I don’t see prospect of them being taken off the 1267 list.
InterNews: UNAMA has recently stated that it is ready to mediate talks between the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban, and now the Taliban side is not ready to hold talks with the Government. How much progress have you so far seen in your mediation, and what is the reason for that?
UNAMA: Mediation is not where we are at right now. It’s very important, I think, that journalists understand exactly where the story is right now - there is no ongoing mediation. What the Special Representative Tom Koenigs has said is that UNAMA stands ready to extend its good offices role if asked. There are developments happening in peace in Afghanistan, and it’s important that the momentum on these continues. But as I said, be wary of running ahead of the game. These things will take time, and they will take patience and determination.
(....)
AP: Yesterday we had an interview with the President Karzai's spokesman, and he was saying that there was a debate among some Taliban about laying down arms. Has the UN heard anything about this?
UNAMA: On the issue of peace prospects, we certainly think there are things happening. But it is still - as I tried to indicate - at a very early stage. I understand that Mullah Omar himself was quoted recently as saying that commanders who might negotiate would be punished. This would imply that some commanders are indeed reaching out. And as you know, the Government has its own strengthening peace (PTS) programme.
(....)
Noorin Television: The special Representative of the Secretary-General has said that he stands ready to mediate talks between the Government and the Taliban. According to some critics, the efforts of the United Nations in bringing peace in Afghanistan have not been proved effective – what do you think about this time around?
UNAMA: You talk again about “mediation” but we have talked only about readiness to extend our good offices role. We must be quite clear on this. This is different to being some kind of go-between in active peace talks. So let’s get the story back to exactly where it is right now. The Special Representative has spoken of a readiness to extend our good offices role, if it’s asked for.
Secondly, if we all believed that we were doomed to permanently repeat the past then it’d be utterly pointless our being here and doing the jobs we do. Of course we believe in possibilities for progress here; that is why we are here, that is why we do our jobs. It really doesn’t make sense to think that if efforts have somehow not proved effective in the past then we cannot succeed in the future.
People are crying out for peace in Afghanistan and clearly together, we have to answer those cries. But we also have to take this a step at a time. The political processes and public enthusiasm will have to go hand in hand. It will take time, it will take patience, it will take determination and it will take hope. And we are hopeful.