Karzai Seeks Help Negotiating With Taliban

Afghan President Has Requested Help Of Saudi King In Thus-Far Fruitless Talks

(CBS/AP)  Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Tuesday he has asked the king of Saudi Arabia to help facilitate peace talks with the Taliban in order to bring an end to the Afghan conflict.

Karzai said there had not yet been any negotiations, only requests for help. But he said that Afghan officials have traveled to both Saudi Arabia and to Pakistan in hopes of ending the conflict.

"For the last two years, I've sent letters to the king of Saudi Arabia, and I've sent messages, and I requested from him as the leader of the Islamic world, for the security and prosperity of Afghanistan and for reconciliation in Afghanistan ... he should help us," Karzai said.

Also Tuesday, the U.S.-led coalition said three of its troops were killed in a roadside bomb blast in southern Afghanistan.

The coalition did not release any other details, including the nationalities of the troops or the blast's location. Most of the troops in the coalition are American, but it does include forces from several other countries.

Taliban and other militant bombs have grown larger and more deadly this year.

Speaking on the grounds of the presidential palace, where he gave his traditional message to Afghans for the Muslim religious holiday of Eid-al Fitr, Karzai said his government is trying to encourage militants to lay down arms.

He underscored that he has in the past reached out to fugitive Taliban leader Mullah Omar to "come back to your home soil and work for the happiness of the people."

Omar, meanwhile, released his own Eid message and launched a barrage of accusations against Afghanistan's security forces, calling them thieves, smugglers and criminals not worthy of people's trust.

Omar's message did not include any indication of willingness to talk to Karzai's government. Instead, it called again on foreign troops to leave the country.

A former senior Taliban official told The Associated Press last week that the militants do not consider Karzai a strong leader who can uphold and implement any potential deal if America does not agree with it. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he did not want to be identified.

U.S. officials have not indicated they are ready for any contacts with high-level Taliban leaders, though U.S. officials do encourage fighters to lay down arms and join the Afghan government's reconciliation program.

An Afghan opposition leader, former President Burhanuddin Rabbani, told The Associated Press earlier this year that Afghan political leaders have been meeting with Taliban and other anti-government groups in hopes of negotiating peace.

The contacts took place between leaders of the opposition National Front party and "high level" militant leaders.

Rabbani says Afghanistan's six-year war must be solved through talks, echoing a view held by many in the country. He said some Taliban are willing to negotiate, but that others are not.

Karzai, in his message Tuesday, said he would personally protect Taliban and other militant leaders from U.S. and NATO troops if they come back to Afghanistan for talks.

"Don't be afraid of the foreigners. If they try to harm you, I will stand in front of them," Karzai said.

Karzai said "everybody knows" Afghan officials are working toward peace efforts, and that if there is any progress, Afghan officials would announce it. "There hasn't been anything practical, but are hopeful it will happen," he said.

The build-up of the Afghan security forces is the centerpiece of the American counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan and Omar's Eid message appeared to react to that.

Afghan, U.S. and other international officials recently decided to increase the size of the Afghan army to 134,000, raising the previous cap of 80,000.

"There are thousands of security forces ... and it is clear that they are criminal, thieves, and the people can not trust the security forces at all," Omar said in a statement posted on a Web site that has carried many Taliban statements in the past.

"Foreign forces are the thieves of our culture, faith, as well as natural resources, in the same way the army and police steal the money, dignity and the honor of the people."

Omar also called on militants not to harm civilians during their operations.

Omar went into hiding after a U.S.-led invasion toppled his Taliban regime in Afghanistan seven years ago. Afghan officials have said he is hiding in or near the Pakistani city of Quetta. Pakistan says he is in Afghanistan.

Also on Tuesday, the U.S.-led coalition said three of its troops were killed in a roadside bomb blast in southern Afghanistan.

The coalition did not release any other details, including the nationalities of the troops or the blast's location. Most troops in the coalition are American but it does include forces from several other countries.

Taliban and other militant bombs have grown larger and more deadly this year. More U.S. soldiers have died in Afghanistan already this year than in any year since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion. At least 127 U.S. forces have died, as have 99 from other coalition countries.

[samsel3]

profit venture except for Turkmenistan.
Posted by cntrymuzksux at 05:27 PM : Oct 01, 2008

Turkmeistan Product Sharing Agreement (PSA) operators (Petronas, Burren Energy, Maersk/Wintershall Consortium, Mitro (Panama)/Turkmennebit Consortium) had invested $1.34 billion in their local operations.

Also the KCO consotium which Turkmenistan really depends their members are: ENI, Total, ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell, ConocoPhillips,Impex and KazMunaiGaz.
Consultant extrodinaire is Mitro Consulting "Deep in the Heart of Texas"..............

Sounds a lot like the Iraq World Stage Players singing money makes the world go round..........

[samsel3]

profit venture except for Turkmenistan.
Posted by cntrymuzksux at 05:27 PM : Oct 01, 2008

Thats my point if you are a lease holder in Turkmenistan your going to make money. When Afghanistan leases out the AT & AD Basins your going to make money..However Pakistan could decide the TAPI is not worth the trouble. Remember the Iranians-Pakistanis and India call the IPI pipeline "The Peace Pipeline". The new President in Pakistan may get fed up with US aggression . That is why Afghanistan is begging the Taliban to quiet down, but their not bying it..........

[samsel3]

And a 2-3 billion dollars shared between whatever companies ...Posted by cntrymuzksux at 02:49 PM : Oct 01, 2008

7.2 Billion are the estimated project costs for TAPI.
Then we have 1.6 Billion barrels oil at Afghan-Tajik Basin and an additional 15.7 trillion cu.ft. of natural gas at Amu Darya Basin. A lot of dough to be made in lessor share of products, transportation tarriffs for participating countries, etc. etc.

As far as Iraq is concerned Cheney & Bush were geniuses to knock out the competition in the market.
However, lying was not a very bright choice.

On January 26, 1998 in a letter to the President the PNAC asked Clinton to invade Iraq and get rid of Saddam Hussein.. Clinton refused their request.

Lots of money being made there at the tapayers expense.

Russian oil companies will probably make more with Chavez in the Orinoco Reserve........

[samsel3]

Again, energy security not dollars.

Posted by cntrymuzksux at 02:49 PM : Oct 01, 2008

Fars news agency reported in June 2008 that "Iran and China have discussed joining forces in the IPI pipeline."
January 2008 China daily reported:" China National Offshore Oil Corp, the countries third-largest oil producer, will sign an agreement in March for 3 million metric tons of LNG per year from Iran. Liquified Natural Gas will be shipped to Guangdong Zhuhai Jinwan Corp."
Russia has also signed deals with Iran for oil & gas.
June 19, 2008 UPI reported:" US support for TAPI over the rival IPI may put Canadian forces in the middle of a new cold war."

US blood & treasure is being wasted on the Taliban for US, British,Canadian & other oil & gas companies which will profit from shared interest to construction and allied services.

Profit at taxpayer expense.

[samsel3]

The real incentive is energy security and not being beholden to the Iranian govt.
Posted by cntrymuzksux at 10:07 AM : Oct 01, 2008

The US is backing the TAPI pipeline and other basin projects for oil & gas to prevent Asian countries from using Iranian sources. The broader aspects of US and Canadian interests eliminating the Taliban in Afghanistan is to circumvent Russian-Iranian gas & oil deals. The US led energy consortium is trying to secure their interests in Asian markets.

The American people will not benefit by dumping trillions of dollars into this money pit.
This country is in enough debt. Big Oil & Gas and allied industry fat cats are the only ones to profit at the peoples expense.

[samsel3]

Karzai is protecting a US led consortium for the TAPI Caspian Sea Pipeline which will supply Southeast Asian markets. Additionaly, 1.6 billion barrels of oil,in the Afghan-Tajik Basin, and 15.7 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, in the Amu Darya Basin will be exploited.
The Taliban reneged on an agreement with Big Oil & Gas before the invasion holding out for a larger share of pipeline tariffs for their people. The US decided a regime change was a better choice.

Mullah Omar said: "There are thousands of security forces ... and it is clear that they are criminal, thieves, and the people can not trust the security forces at all,"
February 12, 1998 John J. Maresca vp of UNOCAL oil appeared before a House sub committee. The purpose of the meeting was to gain support for exploitation of oil & natural gas resources, for the rights purchased by BIG OIL in the Caspian Sea area.

In his testimony he stated, "The key question is how the energy resources of Central Asia can be made available to nearby Asian markets ".

The exploitation option stated : "One obvious route south would cross Iran, but this is foreclosed by American companies because of U.S. sanctions (with Iran ) . The only other possible route is across Afghanistan,.....".

[samsel3]

Your argument holds no credibility since UNOCAL picked up stakes and left...in 98.

Posted by cntrymuzksux at 06:16 PM : Sep 30, 2008


On 24 April 2008, Pakistan, India and Afghanistan led by a US Oil & Gas consortium signed an agreement to buy natural gas from Turkmenistan. Asian Bank money is one of the financial sources with possible re-entry of the World Bank.

The 1,040 mi pipeline runs from Dauletabad gas field to Afghanistan. The TAPI will be constructed from Herat to Kandahar, and then via Quetta and Multan in Pakistan. The end of the pipeline will be the Indian town of Fazilka, at the border between Pakistan and India.

[samsel3]

Your argument holds no credibility since UNOCAL picked up stakes and left...in 98.

Posted by cntrymuzksux at 06:16 PM : Sep 30, 2008




UNOCAL and other American companies are prepared to undertake the job ". Aconsortium of oil & gas companies have taken over where UNOCAL left off.

[lovegetpeace]

Americans with sick and bored life purchase all the Heroin production from Afghanistan that funds the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

[babooph]

He wants advise from Bush? Doesn''t he have any children?

[samsel3]

Posted by cntrymuzksux at 04:59 PM : Sep 30, 2008

No conspiracy these are facts :

Karzai is protecting a US led consortium for the TAPI Caspian Sea Pipeline which will supply Southeast Asian markets. Additionaly, 1.6 billion barrels of oil,in the Afghan-Tajik Basin, and 15.7 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, in the Amu Darya Basin will be exploited.
The Taliban reneged on an agreement with Big Oil & Gas before the invasion holding out for a larger share of pipeline tariffs for their people. The US decided a regime change was a better choice.

Mullah Omar said: "There are thousands of security forces ... and it is clear that they are criminal, thieves, and the people can not trust the security forces at all,"
February 12, 1998 John J. Maresca vp of UNOCAL oil appeared before a House sub committee. The purpose of the meeting was to gain support for exploitation of oil & natural gas resources, for the rights purchased by BIG OIL in the Caspian Sea area.

In his testimony he stated, "The key question is how the energy resources of Central Asia can be made available to nearby Asian markets ".

The exploitation option stated : "One obvious route south would cross Iran, but this is foreclosed by American companies because of U.S. sanctions (with Iran ) . The only other possible route is across Afghanistan,.....".

[samsel3]

The fact of the matter is we are not losing this conflict but nobody s winning either.

Posted by cntrymuzksux at 04:59 PM : Sep 30, 2008

Dear uninformed:


There are no benefits for Americans in Afghanistan. Your tax dollars and cumulative borrowed debt to finance these operations only benefit the corporations who purchased the oil& gas rights in the Caspian Sea Basin, for the construction of the TAPI project, Caspian Sea Pipelines........nothing more nothing less.

And the extermination continues:...........

More than a year and half before 911 the CIA Special Activities Division was conducting operations in Afghanistan, trying to topple the Taliban regime for the TAPI project, Caspian Sea Oil & Gas Pipelines...........We now call such activities terror.

[random_radar]

Karzai needs to put some graft in the bank and buy a villa in the south of France to flee to. When the Taliban take over, he will be killed unless he escapes.

The British lost in Afghanistan, the Russians lost in Afghanistan, and the Americans will lose in Afghanistan. The Afghans never give up fighting foreign occupation.

Karzai is a puppet of the Americans and his days are numbered.

[samsel3]

There are no benefits for Americans in Afghanistan. Your tax dollars and cumulative borrowed debt to finance these operations only benefit the corporations who purchased the oil& gas rights in the Caspian Sea Basin, for the construction of the TAPI project, Caspian Sea Pipelines........nothing more nothing less.

And the extermination continues:...........

More than a year and half before 911 the CIA Special Activities Division was conducting operations in Afghanistan, trying to topple the Taliban regime for the TAPI project, Caspian Sea Oil & Gas Pipelines...........We now call such activities terror.

[nolalou]

what this is that karzai knows there is going to be a new president and also believes it''''s going to be obama. he is trying to make peace with the taliban before America pulls out and leaves him at the non-mercy of the taliban.
it''''s sort of transparent
Posted by egresor

The only thing sort of transparent, is your ignorance! Obama has called for MORE troops in Afghanistan not less! He has been critical of the war in Iraq because it was not justified, and took our ''eye off the ball'' in Afghanistan, where Bin Laden was headquartered, and being protected by the Taliban!

[samsel3]

Karzai is protecting a US led consortium for the TAPI Caspian Sea Pipeline which will supply Southeast Asian markets. Additionaly, 1.6 billion barrels of oil,in the Afghan-Tajik Basin, and 15.7 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, in the Amu Darya Basin will be exploited.
The Taliban reneged on an agreement with Big Oil & Gas before the invasion holding out for a larger share of pipeline tariffs for their people. The US decided a regime change was a better choice.

Mullah Omar said: "There are thousands of security forces ... and it is clear that they are criminal, thieves, and the people can not trust the security forces at all,"
February 12, 1998 John J. Maresca vp of UNOCAL oil appeared before a House sub committee. The purpose of the meeting was to gain support for exploitation of oil & natural gas resources, for the rights purchased by BIG OIL in the Caspian Sea area.

In his testimony he stated, "The key question is how the energy resources of Central Asia can be made available to nearby Asian markets ".

The exploitation option stated : "One obvious route south would cross Iran, but this is foreclosed by American companies because of U.S. sanctions (with Iran ) . The only other possible route is across Afghanistan,.....".

[docpeter1953]

From the above article, "Karzai, in his message Tuesday, said he would personally protect Taliban and other militant leaders from U.S. and NATO troops if they come back to Afghanistan for talks.

"Don''t be afraid of the foreigners. If they try to harm you, I will stand in front of them," Karzai said.
_____________

He IS volunteering for the firing squad!

[wdh3007]

Karzai is weak to ask the King of Saudi Arabia to help him with his own problems. They don''t want
to help a U.S backed Govt and the Taliban simply
won''t leave just because the U.S. asked them to. The US and it''s energy corporations don''t really need the
caspian anyway we have plenty of our own oil in ANWAR and thru offshore drilling that deomcrats in Congress won''t touch. You want to know how to get the entire
middle east''s attention pull out of OPEC then they will run to us in a panic.

[docpeter1953]

From the above article, "Omar, meanwhile, released his own Eid message and launched a barrage of accusations against Afghanistan''s security forces, calling them thieves, smugglers and criminals not worthy of people''s trust.

Omar''s message did not include any indication of willingness to talk to Karzai''s government."
_________________

Ya think?

Sounds like he is about ready to talk to me. Let''s ask George what he thinks.

[hermitdave]

Don''t worry Karzai your old oil company bosses still love you. Just don''t get your puppet strings tangled up with the spoiled rich kid when he is playing war president. It confuses Cheney when he tries to put on his puppet show to the world.