Taliban, Opposition to Meet for Talks

Warring factions will attend U.N.-sponsored peace talks aimed at ending Afghanistan’s protracted civil war. The Taliban Islamic militia, which had planned to boycott the talks in Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, changed its decision at Pakistan’s request, officials of the Pakistan foreign office said. The Taliban had refused to attend the meeting because its government is not recognized by all the mediating countries. Only Pakistan recognizes the Taliban government, which controls almost 90% of Afghanistan. The Afghan opposition, which controls the remaining 10%, also will attend, a spokesman said.