Four-nation meeting in Kabul seeks to revive Taliban talks

Kabul: A second round of four-country talks aimed at reviving peace negotiations with the Taliban began in Kabul today, even as the insurgents wage an unprecedented winter campaign of violence across Afghanistan.

Delegates from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States convened in the Afghan capital for a one-day meeting seeking a negotiated end to the bloody 14-year
insurgency.

"This meeting is important as it will focus on the roadmap to bringing peace in Afghanistan," foreign ministry spokesman Ahmad Shekib Mostaghni told AFP.

"Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani will open the four-way meeting."

The first round of the "roadmap" talks was held in Islamabad last week as the four nations try to lay the groundwork for direct dialogue between Kabul and the Islamist group.

But analysts caution that any substantive talks are still a long way off.

The Taliban have stepped up attacks on government and foreign targets in Afghanistan this winter, when fighting usually abates, underscoring a worsening security situation.

Late Sunday a rocket launched by the militants landed very close to the Italian embassy compound.

The foreign ministry in Rome reported no casualties and said it was unsure if their compound was the target.

Observers say the intensifying insurgency highlights a push by the militants to seize more territory in an attempt to wrangle greater concessions during talks.

At last week's talks in Islamabad an Afghan government spokesman said Pakistan would unveil a list of Taliban members who are ready for talks, but no names have so far been released.

Pakistan - the Taliban's historic backers -- hosted a milestone first round of talks directly with the Taliban in July.

But the negotiations stalled when the insurgents belatedly confirmed the death of longtime leader Mullah Omar, sparking infighting within the group. Afghanistan sees the support of Pakistan as vital to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table.