Karzai 'very angry' at arrest of Taliban boss

Kabul:  The Afghan government was holding secret talks with the Taliban's No. 2 when he was captured in Pakistan, and the arrest infuriated President Hamid Karzai, according to one of Karzai's advisers.

The detention of Mullah Abdul Gani Baradar — second in the Taliban only to Mullah Mohammad Omar — has raised new questions about whether the US is willing to back peace discussions with leaders who harboured the terrorists behind the September 11 attacks.

Karzai "was very angry" when he heard that the Pakistanis had picked up Baradar with an assist from US intelligence, the adviser said. Besides the ongoing talks, he said Baradar had "given a green light" to participating in a three-day peace jirga (council) that Karzai is hosting next month. The adviser, who had knowledge of the peace talks, spoke on condition of anonymity because of their sensitivity.

Other Afghan officials, including Abdul Ali Shamsi, security adviser to the governor of Helmand province, also confirmed talks between Baradar and the Afghan government.

Reconciliation was one topic Karzai and President Barack Obama discussed during a more than one-hour video conference Monday night, Karzai's office said.

Baradar's arrest has already prompted Pakistan and others to stake out their positions on possible reconciliation negotiations that could mean an endgame to the eight-year war.

Accusation

Far from expressing gratitude, members of Karzai's administration were quick to accuse Pakistan of picking up Baradar either to sabotage or to gain control of talks with the Taliban leaders.

Whatever the reason, the delicate dance among Karzai, his neighbours and international partners put the debate over reconciliation on fast forward.

Top United Nations and British officials emphasised last week that the time to talk to the Taliban is now.