Evidently they think they can press on to final victory. “Taliban rejects peace talks,” from Reuters, October 3 (thanks to JE):
A SENIOR Taliban commander today rejected reconciliation with what he called the “puppet” Afghan Government, the latest in a series of pronouncements from both sides on potential peace talks.
While violence has increased to its worst level since 2001, neither side has managed to break the strategic stalemate and gained a clear advantage, leading many to call for talks to end the conflict and bring the Taliban into peaceful politics.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said this week he had asked the king of Saudi Arabia to mediate in talks with the insurgents and called on Taliban leader Mullah Omar to return to his homeland and to make peace.
But Mr Karzai’s plea appeared to have fallen on deaf ears and was rejected by a senior Taliban leader.
“We reject an offer for negotiation by the Afghan’s puppet and slave President Hamid Karzai,” Mullah Brother said by satellite telephone from an undisclosed location.
He said Mr Karzai had no right to negotiate. “He only says and does what he is told by America.”…