No talks with Taliban until it 'repudiates al-Qaeda publicly': US

Washington, July 12 (ANI): The United States has ruled out any negotiations with the Taliban until it lays down arms and severe all its ties with Al-Qaeda.

When enquired about the statement of the Pakistan Army's spokesman, Major General Athar Abbas, that the Pakistan military can bring the Taliban to the discussion table with the United States, the US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, said such a possibility can only occur when the Taliban 'repudiates al-Qaeda publicly'.

"No, I don't know what he's talking about. The Taliban and al-Qaeda are linked like this. And, unless the Taliban repudiates al-Qaeda publicly, this is a nonstarter," Holbrooke said during a television interview.

He said until the Taliban and Al-Qaeda shun their violent activities the 'war against terror' against these outfits in Afghanistan would continue.

"This war is not going to end on the decks of the USS Missouri, like World War II did. This war is going to end when the Taliban lay down their arms and reintegrate into society," The Nation quoted Holbrooke, as saying.

"The United States and President Hamid Karzai have long said that Taliban reconciliation is part of our programme, people who work with the Taliban, who support them, who want to lay down their arms and participate, the door is always open," he added. (ANI)