UPDATES WITH MORE QUOTES FROM US SECRETARY OF STATE, NATO CHEIF, REVISES DECK; ADDS DETAILS
By Shadi Khan Saif
KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) – Landmark intra-Afghan peace talks between the Afghan government and Taliban insurgents commenced Saturday in the Qatari capital Doha.
The historic talks aim to end nearly two decades of armed insurgency in the war-torn country.
In his opening speech, the head of Afghanistan's peace council Abdullah Abdullah said that if the warring parties — the government and Afghan Taliban — came together, they could finally strike a peace deal to end years of conflict.
"I believe that if we give hands to each other and honestly work for peace, the current ongoing misery in the country will end," Abdullah said.
"We come here with good intentions to find a peaceful way to end the 40-year-long war in Afghanistan and a political settlement as our people suffered a lot," he added, underlining that "war and use of force" would not solve the conflict.
"Today, we have strong regional and international support and we shouldn't lose this historic opportunity. We should hear and listen to each other with patience. I thanked the Taliban for announcing a cease-fire three time during the Eid [holidays] and we're optimistic that we'll give good news for the Afghan people to announce a first-phase truce.
"Today we're here to close the doors to war and open the doors to peace and harmony."
The Afghan government's 21-member negotiating team was led by Masoom Stanekzai, a former intelligence chief. The Taliban is led by Mawlavi Abdul Hakim, the armed group's chief justice and a close aide of the group's chief Haibatullah Akhunzada.
Along with Abdullah, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Taliban deputy leader Mullah Baradar are also attending the event.
The ceremony was kicked off by Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani who underlined that the warring sides must "rise above all forms of division […] by reaching an agreement on the basis of no victor and no vanquished."
For this part, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, deputy head of the Taliban, said in his speech that the Taliban "would strive during negotiations to create an enabling environment for its Mujahid and oppressed people for a life of peace, tranquility and stability, [Taliban] assure the international community of maximum efforts for the successful result of the intra-Afghan talks."
– US not 'imposing' political system
Also speaking at the event, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said: "Each of you, I hope you will look inside your hearts. Each of you carry a great responsibility […] The entire world wants you to succeed and is counting on you succeeding."
"The choice of your future political system is, of course, yours to make," said Pompeo, stressing that Washington "does not impose" its preferred political system of democracy on others.
Urging the negotiating sides to "protect this process" and "respect each other" for a "self-reliant" Afghanistan that is "free from outside interference," he added: "I cannot strongly enough urge you, seize this opportunity."
Both the Taliban and the Afghan government should work to achieve a "sovereign, unified and representative" system, he added
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance stood ready to support the success of these talks. "Peace is now within grasp. The Afghan government and representatives of the Taliban have demonstrated the will to engage with each other."
Stoltenberg noted that NATO was "adjusting" its troop presence in Afghanistan to support the peace efforts. "At the same time, we remain committed to training and funding the Afghan Security Forces to help safeguard the Afghan people."
– Calls for preserving rights, liberties
Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), while welcoming the start of the intra-Afghan peace talks, stressed that negotiating parties should "recognize and reflect the diversity" of Afghanistan and encourage mutual respect throughout society.
"Fundamental human rights for all should be recognized and preserved," said the AIHRC statement.
It also urged the international community to give its support to a "victim-centered peace process, grounded in respect for Afghanistan's people and Islamic traditions."
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as well as top diplomats from the US, Germany, Turkey, Pakistan, India, China, Iran and many other countries were in attendance.
After the official opening ceremony, the talks, where both sides will sit face-to-face for the first time, will start on Monday, according to Abdullah's spokesperson, Fraidoon Khawzoon.
* Islamuddin Sajid from Pakistan, as well as Sorvar Alam and Vakkas Dogantekin from Turkey contributed to this report.
