U.N.: Reduce Taliban names on terror list

• Tweet

KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Afghanistan should seek removal of some Taliban leaders' names from a United Nations terror list, a U.N. official said.

That would be a move toward the country's direct negotiations with the insurgent group, Kai Eide, head of the U.N. mission in Afghanistan, told The New York Times

His comments came as he discussed Afghan President Hamid Karzai's plan to help Taliban fighters reintegrate into society.

Eide also told the Times the U.S. military should accelerate its review of the cases of about 750 people in military prisons in Afghanistan, another grievance of Taliban leaders.

The Karzai government reportedly will soon disclose its plan to help Taliban fighters wiling to cross over into mainstream society with offers of jobs, security, education and other social benefits.

The plan has qualified support of U.S. officials.

Eide said he hoped the two initiatives could facilitate direct talks between Afghan officials and Taliban leaders, many of them believed to be hiding in Pakistan.

The Times report said some Taliban leaders have indicated they might be willing to be involved in talks if their names are taken off the U.N. terror list, which includes the name of Taliban chief Mullah Mohammad Omar. Eide said he did not believe Omar's name should be deleted from the list but lower-level leaders could be taken off.