KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Taliban insurgents, who routinely exaggerate the successes of their attacks on coalition forces, on Thursday denounced a media report of their direct negotiations with the United States.
In a statement, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said “some dailies” were acting as the “mouthpiece for Western colonialism” by circulating baseless rumours.
“The report of negotiation with the invaders or direct contact with them are mere futile rumours,” Mujahid said.
“Similarly, the allegation that the Taliban want to open an office in a certain country is not true.”
In a report this week, the Washington Post quoted an unidentified Afghan official as saying the U.S. has sped up direct talks with the insurgents.
The newspaper cited U.S. officials as saying the Taliban have “made clear” their preference for direct negotiations with the Americans.
They have also proposed establishing a formal political office, with Qatar under consideration as a venue, the paper reported.
Mujahid heaped scorn on both notions.
“More than half of the country (Afghanistan) is under our control,” he said.
“This is our permanent address.”
Mujahid said the rumours were aimed at concealing Washington’s “uncertain policy.”
He also took aim at reports of the Kabul government offering high-level positions to insurgent leaders who agree to work with Afghan regime.
“The current struggle and jihad of our Muslim and Mujahid nation is not aimed at obtaining government slots, mundane amenities and comfortable life,” he said.
“We have a lofty objective before us and that is a complete freedom of the country, independence and establishment of purely Islamic regime and prosperity of the people.”
Also Thursday, the United Nations in Afghanistan called for a thorough coalition investigation into the latest allegation of NATO killings of civilians. It also said it would open its own probe.
The UN said it was “deeply concerned” about a coalition night raid in Taluqan city this week that killed four people, including two women.
The deaths prompted two days of violent demonstrations in the northern city in which at least 14 people were killed and dozens injured.
“The United Nations on behalf of all Afghans calls on all parties to the conflict to take all necessary measures to protect civilians,” the organization said in a statement.
In Kandahar city, just a few kilometres from where children frolicked in a canal to beat the searing spring heat, a child was killed by a roadside bomb.
Several other people were hurt in the blast near a bank.
Officials were unclear on the intended target.