NATO provides safe passage for peace talks

KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Top Taliban commanders are leaving their sanctuaries with the aid of NATO troops to participate in talks to end the war in Afghanistan, Afghan officials say.

The officials have told The New York Times that talks are unfolding between the inner circle of Afghan President Hamid Karzai and members of the Quetta shura, the leadership group that oversees the Taliban war effort inside Afghanistan.

Afghan leaders have also held discussions with leaders of the hardline guerrilla group Haqqani network and the Peshawar shura whose fighters are based in eastern Afghanistan.

Afghans familiar with the talks have told the Times the Taliban leaders coming to Afghanistan have the explicit assurance that they will not be attacked or arrested by NATO forces.

In at least one case, Taliban leaders crossed the border into Afghanistan and boarded a NATO aircraft bound for Kabul.

In other cases, NATO troops have secured roads to allow Taliban officials safe passage, the Times reported Wednesday.