President Karzai seeks out former Taliban officials for mediation

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has asked a group of former Taliban officials to mediate with the rebels to seek peace and a solution for Afghanistan, Reuters reported Thursday.

The move comes in response to growing criticism of Karzai, as five years into the war, the Taliban are considered stronger than ever.

The Taliban’s former ambassador to Pakistan and a former deputy minister, Abdul Salam Zaeef, told Reuters that he and other former Taliban officials need foreign support as insurance that they will be safe if their speak with the Taliban. However they realize that mediation is necessary. “Using guns and aircraft and... killing is not good for Afghanistan, it’s not bringing pleasure for the people,” Zaeef said.

Zaeef also said that is important that Afghans have a sense of “the purpose of the Americans. What do they want? What are they doing here? How long will they be here in Afghanistan?” This will prevent Afghans from becoming more upset by foreign policy and turning to the Taliban for a quick solution to their daily troubles.

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