Afghans in 'informal' talks with Taliban in Norway
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 4 June 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Afghans in 'informal' talks with Taliban in Norway, 4 June 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/558bc4e059.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 04, 2015
By RFE/RL
WASHINGTON – A group of Afghan politicians and civil society members, including several women, have been holding talks with representatives of the Taliban in Norway.
In an e-mail to media organizations on June 5, Zabihullah Mujahid said the discussions were informal and cannot be categorized as "peace talks."
The office of President Ashraf Ghani issued a statement saying, "We appreciate these are nongovernment talks, they are not representing the government of Afghanistan."
A Norwegian Foreign Ministry spokesman told RFE/RL in an e-mail that the participants are attending in their individual capacities while expressing their personal views.
The ministry added that it is Norwegian policy to facilitate contacts such as these in which local stakeholders find them useful.
Female lawmakers Shukria Barekzai and Fawzia Kofi and two female members of Afghanistan's High Peace Council – Hawa Alem Nuristani and Sedigheh Balkhi – are reportedly among the participants.
Under the 1996-2001 rule of the Taliban in Afghanistan, women were deprived of their basic rights.
With reporting by Pajhwok and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
