[Richard]

Hotline To The Jihad
Leah Farrall, The Australian, 7 Dec 2009
Part 2 of 2

(cont'd) While the US-led coalition is examining options to negotiate an outcome to the war, he says the Taliban's senior leadership trusts no one beyond its borders, not even the states who formerly recognised it: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. This may explain the Taliban's recent statements where it portrayed itself as willing to establish friendly and responsible relations with its neighbours and other countries. These statements also mark a discrete but important move away from al-Qa'ida and militant salafist ideologies.

The Taliban may not renounce al-Qa'ida. It may not even disassociate from it. Nonetheless, Abu Walid's letter is important, because although it does not appear to be sanctioned, it provides important insight into and explanation of the dynamics of the al-Qa'ida-Taliban relationship.

As for our dialogue, neither of us is naive enough to believe a damascene conversion is around the corner. Abu Walid tells me he thinks he will "continue to fight until the end". This end, he explains, "is that they leave us alone to our own affairs . . . to leave us free to decide what is in the interest of our people".

But a key point is that he sees, and wants, an end in Afghanistan and so, too, does the Taliban. This end may not suit al-Qa'ida, who the Taliban appear to no longer welcome.

Abu Walid's fight also involves dialogue. He wants to keep talking and says he hopes our dialogue will be "the first step in a journey of a thousand miles" and a "step towards a common understanding". So do I.

It's better to talk to him and others like him.

They are willing to engage in dialogue about their grievances and listen to the view from the other side, unlike al-Qa'ida who talks only in the language of bombs and bloodshed.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225807501121