Washington has said it is skeptical about what the Taliban's ultimate intentions are, despite reports that Afghan President Hamid Karzai plans to negotiate with deposed Taliban leader Mullah Omar. Speaking at a regular press briefing Monday, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the Bush administration does not believe the Taliban are ready to renounce violence.
"Just last week, little girls who were on their way to school were disfigured when acid was thrown in their faces, and this was done by the Taliban," she told reporters.
And it is because of the Taliban's unpredictable course of action that "we are working with our NATO partners to continue to put the pressure on them," she added.
The Taliban might be willing to reconcile, renounce violence and to be productive members of Afghan society at some point of time, but "right now, we just do not think that that is in the cards," Perino said.
Washington reiterated its support to Karzai, who is "a leader that has only the best interests of his country in mind."
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.