UN envoy meets with Taliban

The UN special envoy Francesc Vendrell arrived in Kabul on Monday to meet with Taliban officials, signifying a possible change in the Taliban’s position with respect to UN-mediated peace talks with the opposition United Front. Following the decision by the Security Council to impose a fresh round of sanctions in December, the Taliban stated that the UN would no longer be considered impartial in the Afghan conflict and that UN mediation would end. UN officials told IRIN, however, that despite sanctions coming into effect on 19 January, Vendrell’s visit had been allowed to go ahead, confirming a shift in the Taliban position. UN officials said that Vendrell was scheduled to meet with the Taliban Foreign Minister, Wakil Ahmad Mutwakel, to discuss Taliban participation in talks with the opposition United Front and other related issues. UN Security Council resolution 1333 is the latest attempt to prompt the Taliban to hand over Osama bin Laden and close alleged terrorist training camps inside Afghanistan. The sanctions include an arms embargo on the Taliban, the closure of overseas offices, the scaling down of staff at its diplomatic missions, and a ban on foreign travel by Taliban officials.