Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai asks Berlin about help in negotiations with Taliban

Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan's President

Hard mediation job waits for Germany: President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai asked Germany about discrete help by the difficult peace negotiations with Taliban. The first try of negotiations failed, as Afghanistan’s President broke it himself. On the edge of Tokyo International Donors Conference Hamid Karzai met with German Foreign minister Guido Westerwelle and asked Germany about mediation in the relationships between Kabul and Islamists, as it was already in 2010 and 2011.

That time German played an important role in the process of building the closer relations with Taliban regime. Under the circumstances of the greatest secrecy the explanation talks were held in 2010 between Taliban and USA representatives with German mediation. Germany insisted that the peace negotiations are needed, and the situation can be solved only politically.

The difficult mission was successful, and there were some results. German organized the private meeting between Taliban representatives and the representatives of US Foreign Ministry and National Security Ministry. The meetings were held under great secrecy on German territory. During those meeting there were the important talks held which were the first steps on the way for the future political cooperation and negotiations between Taliban, USA and Afghanistan government.

Afghanistan

At least since the withdrawal of foreign military forces from Afghanistan was decided, it was obvious that it is very important to guarantee the cooperation between Afghanistan government and governments of another countries for restoring peace in the country, as there are serious fears that the country could fall into chaos after withdrawal of international forces. There were several meeting and negotiations more between the sides, and sort of agreement was achieved, but in 2011 Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai torpedoed the talks, as he felt himself not confident and accused the negotiations of being illegitimate. As a result the peace negotiations were suspended.

But the situation escalated after it, and when the news about negotiations held by Taliban representative came, there were some inner clashes within the group, as some of the members saw this move as treachery in the fight against USA.

Early in this year Germany stated again that it is ready for the mediation in the new stage of talks between Afghanistan government and Taliban. Hamid Karzai in his turn asked about this mediation, so there is the new chance for Afghanistan peace negotiations to bring some positive changes for the country. German’s Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Germany is always ready to support Afghanistan on its way to peace.