Taliban deny report they are in talks with Afghan government

KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- The Afghan Taliban said Tuesday a report in the New York Times that they are involved in talks with President Hamid Karzai's government is "baseless."

The Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, told Voice of America negotiations with Karzai would be pointless while the country is still under "foreign occupation." Mujahid called the Times story "baseless and made up by the Afghan government."

The Times story said talks began in November and have made no progress. Citing anonymous officials, the Times said the Taliban were the side inviting the talks.