Afghan peace conference delayed 5 days; focus to be incentives for insurgents to stop fight
By APSunday, May 23, 2010
Afghan peace conference delayed for 2nd time
KABUL, Afghanistan — An Afghan official says a conference to discuss peace prospects with the Taliban has been postponed for a second time.
The gathering of tribal elders and other community leaders had been expected to begin this coming Saturday. But the spokesman for the conference, Gul Agha Ahmedi, says the meeting will be begin June 2 and last three days. No reason for the delay was given.
The conference, known as a “peace jirga” (JER-ga), was postponed from early May to allow President Hamid Karzai to discuss his peace plans during a visit to Washington earlier this month.
No representatives of the Taliban are due to attend. Instead the conference will focus on economic incentives for insurgents willing to give up the fight.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — An Afghan official says a conference to discuss peace prospects with the Taliban has been postponed for a second time.
The gathering of tribal elders and other community leaders had been expected to begin this coming Saturday. But the spokesman for the conference, Gul Agha Ahmedi, says the meeting will be begin June 2 and last three days. No reason for the delay was given.
The conference, known as a loya jiga (LOH-yah JER-ga), was postponed from early May to allow President Hamid Karzai to discuss his peace plans during a visit to Washington earlier this month.
No representatives of the Taliban are due to attend. Instead the conference will focus on economic incentives for insurgents willing to give up the fight.
