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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Taleban reject Karzai peace plan | Taleban reject Karzai peace plan |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Taleban militants in Afghanistan have rejected an offer of peace talks from Afghan President Hamid Karzai. | Taleban militants in Afghanistan have rejected an offer of peace talks from Afghan President Hamid Karzai. |
| They have said that there can be no negotiations until foreign troops leave Afghanistan. | They have said that there can be no negotiations until foreign troops leave Afghanistan. |
| There has also been a sceptical reaction from the US over the possibility of negotiations. | There has also been a sceptical reaction from the US over the possibility of negotiations. |
| On Sunday President Karzai offered to provide security for the Taleban's reclusive leader, Mullah Omar, if he agrees to peace talks. | On Sunday President Karzai offered to provide security for the Taleban's reclusive leader, Mullah Omar, if he agrees to peace talks. |
| Mr Karzai made the offer despite the multi-million dollar bounty offered for the militant leader's capture by the United States. | Mr Karzai made the offer despite the multi-million dollar bounty offered for the militant leader's capture by the United States. |
| He said that if the US and other Western countries disagreed, they could either leave the country or remove him. | He said that if the US and other Western countries disagreed, they could either leave the country or remove him. |
| 'No point' | 'No point' |
| A spokesman for the Taleban, Qari Yusuf Ahmadi, told the BBC that there was no question of accepting President Karzai's offer. | A spokesman for the Taleban, Qari Yusuf Ahmadi, told the BBC that there was no question of accepting President Karzai's offer. |
| RISE AND FALL OF TALEBAN Emerged in Afghanistan in 1994Mainly supported by ethnic PashtunsToppled after US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001Fugitive leader Mullah Omar wanted, whereabouts unknown | RISE AND FALL OF TALEBAN Emerged in Afghanistan in 1994Mainly supported by ethnic PashtunsToppled after US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001Fugitive leader Mullah Omar wanted, whereabouts unknown |
| "The real power in Afghanistan does not rest with Karzai but with others so there's no point talking to him," Mr Ahmadi said. | "The real power in Afghanistan does not rest with Karzai but with others so there's no point talking to him," Mr Ahmadi said. |
| He said a senior commander, Mullah Brother, who is a close aide of Taleban leader Mullah Omar, had decided that they would not take part in peace talks with the government until all foreign forces left Afghanistan. | He said a senior commander, Mullah Brother, who is a close aide of Taleban leader Mullah Omar, had decided that they would not take part in peace talks with the government until all foreign forces left Afghanistan. |
| The Afghan president has long advocated moves to reach out to the Taleban or at least moderate elements within the group, as part of an eventual political settlement. | The Afghan president has long advocated moves to reach out to the Taleban or at least moderate elements within the group, as part of an eventual political settlement. |
| It is also an approach that is being voiced by others, including some in the West. | It is also an approach that is being voiced by others, including some in the West. |
| The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Kabul says that the president's offer of safe passage to Mullah Omar - who eluded capture in 2001 - has nevertheless startled many because he continues to be one of the most wanted men in the US. | The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Kabul says that the president's offer of safe passage to Mullah Omar - who eluded capture in 2001 - has nevertheless startled many because he continues to be one of the most wanted men in the US. |
| Washington has responded cautiously, saying that they would continue to support President Karzai but they did not believe that the Taleban was ready to renounce violence. | Washington has responded cautiously, saying that they would continue to support President Karzai but they did not believe that the Taleban was ready to renounce violence. |
| "We're not seeing any indication from Mullah Omar that he is ready to break all ties to al-Qaeda and support the Afghan government and constitution," said Gordon Johndroe, a White House spokesman. | |
| "No one has heard from Mullah Omar in some time, and given attacks like last week's when some Taleban threw acid on girls going to school, many don't seem to show a willingness to negotiate. | "No one has heard from Mullah Omar in some time, and given attacks like last week's when some Taleban threw acid on girls going to school, many don't seem to show a willingness to negotiate. |
| "While we're hopeful that reconcilable Taleban will lay down their arms and choose to play a productive part in Afghan society... sadly, so far, they continue to attack innocent civilians and coalition forces on a regular basis," he said. | "While we're hopeful that reconcilable Taleban will lay down their arms and choose to play a productive part in Afghan society... sadly, so far, they continue to attack innocent civilians and coalition forces on a regular basis," he said. |