Afghan Senate urges Karzai Government to initiate direct talks with Taliban

The Afghan Senate has passed a National Reconciliation Bill urging the Hamid Karzai Government to initiate direct talks with the Taliban and to cease NATO military operations against the latter.

Kabul, May 9 : The Afghan Senate has passed a National Reconciliation Bill urging the Hamid Karzai Government to initiate direct talks with the Taliban and to cease NATO military operations against the latter.

The bill will now be sent to the lower house for approval, and if passed, it will be sent to President Karzai for his assent.

The draft law makes a clear distinction between Afghans elements in the Taliban and Pakistani and al-Qaeda militants, describing them as enemies of Afghanistan.

It further emphasises that the NATO-led military operation against the Taliban should cease, while efforts for initiation of talks with Taliban is underway.

The Reconciliation Bill further says that if there is a need for a military operation, it should be carried out with the co-ordination of the national army and police in consultation with the Afghan Government.

A timetable should be drawn for the coalition forces to leave the country, which would be possible only when the Afghan Army and the national police force take complete control of the country, the bill outlined. owever there was no official response from NATO to the bill.

It is believed that the bill is a result of growing public discontent over the rising number of civilian casualties and the government's failure provide security and improve the standard of living of common man.

Over 4,000 people were killed in fighting between militants and NATO led forces last year.

ANI