US offers safety and job security to Taliban

KABUL:- The United States is offering Taliban a safety network that includes creating job opportunities for the insurgents in order to persuade Taliban to join the Afghan peace process, reported The Dawn.

As the United States, Pakistan, China, Russia and other world powers expedite efforts to encourage the Taliban to join the Afghan peace process, the US Defence Department has also outlined a plan for rehabilitating the rebels in a new Afghanistan.

"Although some members of the Taliban may be weary of fighting and ready to lay down their weapons, they will only rejoin society if they believe their safety and the safety of their families are guaranteed, and if they have an opportunity to earn enough money to provide for their families," says the plan that the Pentagon sent to Congress this week, along with proposals for addressing US security concerns and the interests of Afghanistan's neighbours.

The Pentagon, however, notes that while local leaders are developing programmes that may offer a path to peace on a small scale, "the Afghan government has not developed a national reintegration programme".

Over the past 16 months, the United States and its partners have used military force to drive the Taliban towards "a durable and inclusive political settlement".

The Pentagon report claims that this selective use of force persuaded the Taliban to accept the Eidul Fitr ceasefire in June. Even though the Taliban did not publicly accept the second ceasefire offer, "there're indicators of support within the Taliban senior leadership and a desire to pursue negotiations," it adds.