Obama Dissed and Dismissed by Taliban

Taliban officials in Afghanistan reject President's offer to talk

Moderate Taliban in Afghanistan adamantly refused Tuesday President Barack Obama's bid to talk, saying the request by the commander in chief was "illogical," Reuters reported.

The only solution to tensions between Afghanistan and the United States is the withdrawal of American troops from the region, Taliban spokesman Qari Mohammad Yousuf said.

"This does not require any response or reaction for this is illogical," Yousuf said.

Pulling troops out of the region, Yousuf said, would give Afghans back their right to build their own government. More than 70,000 troops, including 38,000 Americans, are currently in the region, and 17,000 more U.S. forces will join them on the ground in the coming months.

"Afghans know better how to decide about their destiny," Yousuf said.

Yousuf also said that Obama's distinction between "moderate" and more active Taliban members was equally illogical.

"The Taliban are united, have one leader, one aim, one policy...I do not know why they are talking about moderate Taliban and what it means?" he said. "If it means those who are not fighting and sitting in their homes, then talking to them is meaningless."

Yousuf was purportedly speaking on behalf of Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, who did not comment.  Afghan president Hamid Karzai welcomed Obama's proposal, which the president outlined on Saturday.

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