KABUL: The
Taliban say they "categorically reject" a statement made this week by the US commander of coalition forces in
Afghanistan about "off stage" contacts and dialogue taking place between the Kabul government and the insurgents.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says in a statement distributed to the media today that Gen.
John Nicholson's remarks, made to reporters at the
Pentagon from his Kabul office, were a "baseless claim."
Nicholson said Wednesday that "mid-level, senior-level Taliban leaders" are "engaging with Afghans," adding that unspecified international organizations, foreign governments and other interested parties also are involved.
Mujahid says that "American General Nicholson is making such fabricated statements to divert attention from his failures and keep the
Washington media busy with false claims instead of exposing the failed Trump (administration's) strategy" in Afghanistan.
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