By Jawad Naji

The year 2010 is perhaps, an important year in the new political system of Afghanistan. Besides the issues of security, corruption, elections and the exit plan of international forces, the most important discussion of 2010 proposed by the government of Afghanistan, was negotiation and reconciliation with the Taliban.

In the early days of Mr. Karzai’ government there was an international and political intention against the Taliban to oust them from the region. It seemed that the trend would continue and the return of Taliban was improbable. Now, there is no talk of defeating and removing the insurgents but they are assumed as the second party to be negotiated with. There were talks of government’s stance and direct and indirect contact through with the Taliban, particularly through the commission for strengthening peace, but after the London Conference the discussion of talks with the Taliban became official.

Important events:

London Conference:

The government of Hamid Karzai officially proposed the idea of reconciliation and peace with the Taliban at the London Conference in 2010. This was welcomed and supported by the international community.

Peace Jirga:

The peace Jirga was launched following the London Conference in Kabul. The government of Afghanistan invited about 1600 participants in this consultative peace meeting. Cabinet members, provincial governors, tribal elders, university professors, MPs and provincial council members were the participants of this meeting. The objective to launch this Jirga was to seek ways and propose solutions in order to reach peace in Afghanistan. However, it was later revealed that the government had already developed the plans and schemes of this Jirga. It was named as state Jirga than a public meeting. Many of government critics like Abdullah Abdullah and tribal leaders like Mohamad Mohaqiq and General Dostum were not present in this meeting. The declaration released by the participants of the Jirga demanded for the release of Taliban prisoners as a sign of goodwill and removal of some Taliban leaders from the UN’s black list.

Maldives Meeting:

On the occasion of holding the Peace Jirga, the news spread about the peace meeting in the Maldives’ Islands with the presence of Hekmatyar’s son-in-law, Taliban leaders and some MPs. This peace meeting was held and at the end a declaration was announced. Later, the President’s spokesperson said that the meetings held in the foreign recreation places will have no achievements and the government did not participate in those meetings. Meanwhile the Hezb e Islami led by Gulbadin Hekmatyar also rejected the meetings of Maldives and called the meeting as personal and for recreation purposes.

Kabul Conference:

Perhaps, the important issue discussed in this conference were related to talks with the Taliban. Although the speakers did not mention about the details of it, it was observed that there had been talks on it behind the scene. Richard Holbrooke, former US special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan had said that in Kabul conference the major focus will be on the return of Taliban to their normal lives. In Kabul conference the government of Afghanistan financial aid to bring back the insurgents to the normal lives through and secondly they demanded to remove the names of ten Taliban commanders from the UN black list.

Removal from Blacklist:

The names of some Taliban leaders were eliminated from the UN black list based on a request from the Afghan government. This issue was proposed by the Afghan government to UN officials. From 45 people whose names were removed from black-list, 10 were Taliban members. UN called it as an outcome of success in the peace process.

Formation of High Council for Peace:

The president himself initiated and formed the high council for peace. A number of jihadi leaders were also present in the meeting held in this regard in the presidential palace. This council has 68 members and many of them were the mujahedeen commanders in the past. In relation to this council, there are local councils formed in some provinces. Mediation and contacts with the insurgents are supposed to be carried out by this council. It is worth noting that Wakil Ahmad Motawakil and Abdul Salam Zaef, two former Taliban leaders, have repeatedly rejected Karzai’s invitation to participate in this council.

Release of prisoners:

a considerable number of Taliban leaders are released from the prisoners as a sign of good will by the afghan government. At least, 172 Taliban leaders were released from prisoners under different pretext. It is said that their criminal cases are not processed but they are released.

Karzai’s meeting with a fake Taliban leader:

The media in recent days reported that Karzai met a fake Taliban leader in the presidential palace. The government believed he was second man in Taliban leadership and held talks with him. It is said that the person took away millions of dollars with him. The media reported that he was a shopkeeper in Quetta Pakistan. In 2010 the government focused more on the process of negotiation and talks with the Taliban. The statistic shows that 2010 has been the most deadly year for Afghan and foreign forces. Meanwhile, the Karzai administration had put all their efforts to bring the insurgents to peace process. Experts believe that all the efforts by the government is one sided and the response by the Taliban, not only show their lack of trust for reconciliation and talks but also providing such privileges for this group has encouraged them to fight more against the afghan government. It seems that discussing the issue of reconciliation with the Taliban in the media and public have strengthened the spirit of the Taliban and they want to use this opportunity to exert more pressure on the government of Afghanistan to gain more privileges. The process of talks and reconciliation with the Taliban is not new. During past years the Commission for Strengthening Peace led by Sibghatullah Mojaddadi also spent a huge amount of money and this time, again, a lot of money is spent in this regard, but there are serious concerns about the lack of transparency in this process and its outcomes.