US supports Karzai, Taliban talks

The US supports the direct talks between the Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and the Taliban, the State Department said today noting it has always pushed for Afghan-led reconciliation.
"We have long strongly supported an Afghan-led reconciliation, which would of course be Afghans talking to Afghans. So the notion that we wouldn't support that dialogue is inaccurate," State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters.
Psaki was responding to questions about a news report in The New York Times, according to which the Karzai Government is having clandestine talks with the Taliban.
Without divulging if the US has been kept in loop on the talks, Psaki said the US support such a development.

"Little over a year ago, last January, President Obama and President Karzai reaffirmed that Afghan-led peace and reconciliation is the surest way to end violence and ensure the lasting stability of Afghanistan and the region. And our objective continues to be and our focus continues to be promoting and supporting an inclusive Afghan-led process," Psaki said.