Afghanistan- Editorial: No truce so far

(MENAFN- Afghanistan Times) The second round of intra-Afghan dialogues, hosted by
Russian Federation at Moscow terminated without any fruitful and positive
outcomes thus making disappointed the already war stricken countrymen. However,
before concluding the dialogues focused on current situation of Afghanistan and
plight its people who are hostages to global powers engaged in fighting for
making secure their strategic economic interests through 'puppets', the two
sides agreed on issuing joint statement. Through joint statement, they
highlighted the points came under debates but there is nothing regarding
ceasefire agreement, in according to expectation for observing the Eid-ul Fitre
with peace and harmony.The statement says that important issues which are
knotted with Afghan people's destiny were discussed and ways to achieve peace
and stability were sought.'Both sides discussed the continuation of
intra-Afghan talks, ceasefire, the release of prisoners, protection of
civilians, foreign troop withdrawal, end of the 'foreigners' interference', the
perseverance of national sovereignty, and women rights,' the statement
reads.

The statement says both sides have made some progress on a
number of issues but no agreement was made 'because reaching agreements needed more
discussions'.

'There were some new issues which we discussed. Some of the
issues were finalized and some were not. It was decided that those issues which
were not finalized should be discussed in the next meeting,' said Suhail
Shaheen, a spokesman for Taliban's Qatar office. But one of the participant of
Moscow meeting said the two sides on Wednesday worked on a 12-article
statement, but disagreements on ceasefire caused them to only issue a short
statement. But unfortunately some participant's comments on two days meeting
found very disappointing.

Atta Mohammad Noor, of Jamiat-e-Islami, said that although
they talked with the Taliban for nine hours to reach an agreement on a
ceasefire, the discussions were 'fruitless'. Noor said the Taliban did
not have 'convincing reasons' for not accepting a ceasefire. 'The Taliban did
not have convincing reasons. But you know that the start of peace is a
ceasefire.' But former President Hamid Karzai who lead the delegation from
Kabul has time and again made successful attempts of saving the process of
plunging into crises. He is hopeful about ceasefire, saying 'Ceasefire is a
crucial issue. We demanded that they also wanted it, but it will be reached in
its time.' One thing is encouraging that the two sides agreed for going ahead
with the process initiated at Moscow in previous February. Reports indicate
that the next round of intra-Afghan meeting will be held in Doha, but the
timing is not specified.Although Moscow meeting has not been productive
as it witnessed no agreement, the question is that to which extent the
politicians and the Taliban had the authority to make a decision about the
Afghan peace? It belongs to our political will, to our seriousness, to our
political commitments, not to one side, but for both sides. At this stage, the
intra-Afghan dialogue process entered into a crucial stage as both the sides
are unable to get rid of their 'external master's,' therefore, maximum
responsibility rests with the leaders in Kabul to demonstrate unity amongst
their ranks. By demonstrating unity in their ranks, the leaders in Kabul could
make encouraging their counterparts stationing at Doha Qatar. Similarly, these
Afghan leaders in Kabul, the unity government in particular must utilize the
diplomatic forums for establishing firm stance on peace, end to violence and
ensuring sovereignty and solidarity of the country.

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