A reliable source within the Taliban has told Defence Afghanistan that the group has outlined six conditions for its participation in the upcoming 3rd Doha meeting with the United Nations and Qatar delegation.
Conditions for Participation
1. Seat Control
The Taliban demands that the seat of Afghanistan in United Nations must be handed over to them, which is currently held by the representative of the former government.
2. No Special Representative
The second condition is that no special representative for Afghanistan should be appointed in the third Doha meeting, continuing their stance from previous meetings.
3. Agenda and Composition Consultation
The Taliban insists on being consulted about the agenda and composition of the meeting.
4. Exclusion of Domestic Issues
The group wants to exclude discussions on the education of children above 6th grade, women’s work, and the formation of a unified government from the meeting’s agenda. They argue these are domestic issues that they are working on resolving internally.
5. Focus on Security and Drugs
The Taliban is prepared to discuss topics like security in Afghanistan, the elimination of drugs, and actions against armed groups, particularly ISIS.
6. Assurance from UN and Qatar
The Taliban seeks assurances that their conditions will be accepted before deciding on their participation in the meeting.
UN and Qatar’s Response
UN’s Focus Areas
The UN delegation to Kabul indicated that the third Doha meeting would cover issues such as girls’ education, women’s work, governance, prisons, and the Taliban’s ties with Al-Qaeda, alongside existing interactions.
Taliban’s Opposition
A Western diplomatic source stated that the Taliban opposes the participation of Afghan representatives and the appointment of a special envoy in the third Doha meeting. The source suggested that the Taliban’s demand for the UN seat is a tactic, knowing their chances are slim, hence pressing for control.
Previous Absence
The Taliban did not participate in the second Doha meeting under the UN’s leadership. However, the UN’s Deputy Secretary-General visited Kabul last week to encourage their participation in the third meeting.
Diplomatic Efforts
Qatar’s Role
A delegation led by Qatar’s Minister of State and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs has been in talks with Taliban officials to encourage their participation in the upcoming meeting.
Taliban’s Diplomatic Engagement
Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with Qatar’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and his delegation, emphasizing that the Taliban’s participation is crucial for the meeting’s success. Muttaqi also met with UN Deputy Secretary-General Rosemary DeCarlo to discuss the agenda and composition of the meeting.
Focus of the Upcoming Doha Meeting
Proposed Discussion Topics
Muttaqi suggested that discussions in the next Doha meeting should include the fight against drugs, financial and banking issues, and the effects of climate change.
Meeting Dates and Purpose
The third Doha meeting is scheduled for June 30th and July 1st, with the participation of special representatives of various countries. The United Nations has stated that the goal of this meeting is to enhance international interaction with Afghanistan in a coordinated and regular manner.
This report outlines the Taliban’s conditions and the diplomatic efforts surrounding their potential participation in the 3rd Doha meeting. The outcomes of these negotiations could significantly impact the future of Afghanistan’s international relations and domestic policies.
