The release of five senior Taliban detainees from Guantanamo Bay in exchange for American soldier Bowe Bergdahl bodes well for the resumption of peace talks, a senior member of Afghanistan´s High Peace Council said earlier today.
But despite the Taliban´s “great happiness” over the prisoners´ release, a spokesman for the militant group cautioned the exchange was “not political”.
The five prisoners Mohammad Fazl, Norullah Noori, Mohammed Nabi, Khairullah Khairkhwa and Abdul Haq Wasiq, all influential former officials of the Taliban regime driven out of power in the US-led invasion of Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks. They were swapped for Idaho native Bergdahl, who disappeared in June 2009 from a base in Afghanistan´s eastern Paktika province. He was the only American soldier held captive by Taliban militants in the nearly 13-year war.
Ismail Qasimyar, of the peace council, said: “I think it shows all sides´ goodwill for trust building and start of the peace talks in near future. “Especially it shows the government of Afghanistan´s commitment toward peace talks. We are very optimistic that the release of these senior Taliban will help the peace process.”
