Taliban leader Omar rules out talks with Karzai

THE Taliban’s reclusive leader has ruled out talks with President Hamid Karzai and called on Afghans to break off relations with his “stooge” administration.

In a statement, Mullah Omar also insisted foreign troops were losing the war in Afghanistan.

His message, issued ahead of the Muslim Eid holiday, came a week after Karzai reached out to the Taliban during his inauguration speech, saying it was important to include in the government former Taliban who were ready to renounce terrorism. The hardline militia has long refused to negotiate with the Karzai government or join what it considers a puppet administration.

“Ground realities in our beloved country indicate that the invaders are about to escape,” Omar said in the message posted on a website used by the Taliban.

Omar led the Taliban regime that was toppled by the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, and has not been seen since. Afghan officials claim he is in hiding in Pakistan.

As the Taliban insurgency gathers strength, US President Barack Obama has been considering plans to send tens of thousands more US troops to Afghanistan. US military officials expect an infusion of approximately 32,000 to 35,000 troops in February or March.

It would be the largest expansion since the beginning of the war eight years ago.

In his message, the Taliban leader said there would be no negotiations that would prolong or legitimise the presence of foreign forces in the country. “Those who have occupied our country and taken our people as hostage, want to use the stratagem of negotiation like they used the drama of elections for some time in order to achieve their colonialist objectives.” he said.

“However, the people of Afghanistan will not agree to negotiation which prolongs and legitimises the invaders’ military presence.”