Taliban meet Afghan politicians in Moscow for peace

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan/ MOSCOW, Russia (AA) - The Taliban representatives met a number of non-government Afghan politicians in the Russian capital Moscow on Tuesday for the landmark two-day peace talks.

The two sides met in a cordial environment, offered prayers together and shared contrasting views on serious matters.

Addressing the conference, Abbas Stanikzai, head of the Taliban delegation flayed the Afghan Constitution and the presence of the foreign troops in the war-ravaged country.

Stanikzai called for establishment of an Islamic system in Afghanistan.

He also demanded the removal of Taliban leaders from the UN Black List, the release of prisoners and an end to “propaganda” against the Taliban.

He promised not to interfere in other countries’ affairs in the case of a peace deal, an end to “occupation” and to curb poppy cultivation and deliver services.

Former Afghan Vice President Yunus Qanuni stressed that not all the Afghans think that their country is occupied.

He would defend the institutions and gains to the past decade-and-half, Qanuni added.

Defending the constitution, he said it is the best set of Islamic laws in the region, but can always be further reformed.

He stressed upon converging on points of consensus, and open a new chapter of peace and prosperity.

Fawzia Kofi, a women's rights activist, underlined that Afghans would not go back to the past from the realities of modern Afghanistan.

The Taliban are not willing to talk to the Afghan government that has not participated in the meeting.

Kabul has insisted that such meetings do not help the peace building in Afghanistan.

The meeting came after a six-day meeting between the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban in Qatar.