The upcoming peace peace talks between Afghanistan officials and the Afghan Taliban appears to be in trouble even before their onset, as the latter slammed the Kabul’s lengthy guest list on Thursday.
The Afghan government published on Tuesday a long list of delegates who would meet with the Taliban in Doha this week to discuss the most-awaited peace process in the war-torn country.
According to a roster issued by the presidential palace on Tuesday, the Afghan delegation comprises 250 people, including top government officials – President Ashraf Ghani’s chief of staff, Abdul Salam Rahimi, as well as his election running mate, Amrullah Saleh, the former head of Afghan intelligence, alongside 52 women.
However, the Taliban were displeased seeing the scores of intending guest, saying it was not “normal” and that they had “no plans” to meet with so many people.
“The creators of (the) Kabul list must realise that this is an orderly and prearranged conference in a far-away Khaleeji (Gulf) country and not an invitation to some wedding or other party at a hotel in Kabul,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement.
An Afghan news agency, Tolo, reported that US and Taliban delegations had arrived in Doha on Monday for initial talks, although the formal meeting would begin on April 19.
The report also said that United States special representative for Afghan peace process Zalmay Khalilzad had also reached the Qatari capital.
