DIIS REPORT
DIIS REPORT
TALIBAN TALKS
PAST, PRESENT AND PROSPECTS FOR
THE US, AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN
Edited by Mona K. Sheikh & Maja T. J. Greenwood
DIIS REPORT 2013:06
DIIS . DANISH INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
1
DIIS REPORT 2013:06
© Copenhagen 2013, the author and DIIS
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Mona Sheikh, PhD, Postdoc mosh@diis.dk Maja Touzari Janesdatter Greenwood, MA, Research Assistant mtjg@diis.dk 2
DIIS REPORT 2013:06
Contents
Abbreviations
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Abstract
5
Where are we now? Reintegration, reconciliation and negotiation with the Taliban
7
The US–Taliban talks
13
The Afghanistan–Taliban initiatives
16
The Pakistan–Taliban peace deals
19
The reconciliation process in review
23
Expert views
23
Key challenges
32
Messaging the Taliban
34
Prospects for dialogue – nothing significant to report?
34
Better use of communications
36
Practical measures
37
Options for engagement
38
Defence and Security Studies at DIIS
41
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DIIS REPORT 2013:06
Abbreviations
ANA
The Afghan National Army
ANP
Awami National Party
APRP
Afghanistan Peace and Reconciliation Programme
FATA
Federally Administered Tribal Areas
HPC
The High Peace Council
ISAF
International Security Assistance Force
NATO
Cited: http://www.telegraphnepal.com/views/2011-11-10/afghan-csos-fail-in-making-peace-building-efforts (retrieved 22 January 2013). asp?id=114 (retrieved 22 January 2013). in Afghanistan”, Crisis Group Asia Report no 221, 2012, http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/asia/south-asia/ afghanistan/221-talking-about-talks-toward-a-political-settlement-in-afghanistan.aspx (retrieved 22 January DIIS REPORT 2013:06 was initially led by the former Afghan President (1992–1996) and leader of the or Turkey to host a competing set of talks, which however never materialised. He even recalled his ambassador to Qatar (14 December 2011) in protest over the For a thorough evaluation of the APRP and the challenges to its implementation, see Deedee Derksen, “Peace From the Bottom-Up? The Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Program”, PRIO Paper, 2011, http://www.prio. no/Publications/Publication/?x=4953 (retrieved 22 January 2013). tribune.com.pk/story/415279/dialogue-with-taliban-joint-commission-for-afghan-peace/ (retrieved 1 March 2013) The High Peace Council Peace Process Roadmap to 2015 (2012): http://www.foreignpolicy.com/files/121213_ Peace_Process_Roadmap_to_2015.pdf (retrieved 22 January 2013). www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/9735539/Taliban-could-govern-parts-of-Afghanistanunder-new-peace-deal.html (retrieved 22 January 2013).