U.S.: No sign Taliban leader ready to renounce violence

KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) -- A White House official Monday cast strong doubt on the willingness of the Taliban's reclusive leader to spurn his group's violent ways and back the Afghan government.

National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe reacted bluntly to an offer from Afghan President Hamid Karzai to "go to any lengths" to provide protection to Mullah Omar if the militant agrees to enter peace talks. Karzai said international forces can go home if they disagree.

"No one has heard from Mullah Omar in sometime, and given attacks like last week's when some Taliban threw acid on girls going to school, many don't seem to show a willingness to negotiate," Johndroe said.

"We're not seeing any indication from Mullah Omar that he is ready to renounce violence, break all ties to al Qaeda and support the Afghan government and constitution."

Johndroe said the United States maintains "good relations" with Afghanistan and emphasized that Karzai is committed to establishing "a secure, stable democracy." He said the United States and the international community must continue its support for the Afghan government.

"Ultimately, we're hopeful that reconcilable Taliban will lay down their arms and choose to play a productive part in Afghan society, but sadly, so far, they continue to attack innocent civilians and coalition forces on a regular basis," Johndroe said.

The Associated Press on Monday quoted a Taliban spokesman rejecting Karzai's offer. "The Taliban's (leadership) decided they will not take part in any peace talks with Karzai or Karzai's administration until such a day when foreign forces leave Afghanistan," Zabiullah Mujahid said. "The Taliban will pursue jihad against foreign forces and (Karzai's) government."

Karzai told reporters in Kabul on Sunday that if he learns that Mullah Omar is "willing to come to Afghanistan or to negotiate for peace and for the well-being of the Afghans, so that our children are not killed anymore, I, as the president of Afghanistan, will go to any length to provide him protection." Watch more about Karzai on the Taliban »

The Afghan president said that "if I say I want protection for Mullah Omar, then the international community has two choices: remove me, or leave if they disagree." He added that "if I am removed in the cause of peace for Afghanistan, by force, by them, then I'll be very happy."

Omar has been on the U.S. military's most-wanted list since a U.S.-led coalition ousted the Taliban rulers from Afghanistan in 2001. He is accused of harboring al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan in the run-up to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, and the U.S. government has offered $10 million for information leading to his capture.

Karzai came to power with the support and backing of the international leaders he seems to be defying with his latest comments. In recent months, he also has taken the United States to task for mounting civilian casualties resulting from U.S. air strikes on apparent militant targets.

Earlier this month, Karzai told CNN's Christiane Amanpour that he has been communicating with Omar, warning him that Taliban violence must cease.

"I have sent this message to him ... that what is done in his name and the name of the Taliban movement -- the destruction of Afghanistan, the killing of women and children ... is neither for Islam, which they claim, nor for Afghanistan. That this is against both.

"Therefore, if they want Islam and they want a good Afghanistan, they must return and work with Afghanistan and the rest of the world to return to prosperity and peace," Karzai said at the time.

In September, Taliban representatives met with Afghan and Pakistani officials during a dinner hosted by Saudi Arabia's king. All parties agreed that the only solution to Afghanistan's conflict is through dialogue and not fighting, a source told CNN's Nic Robertson.

The sides agreed on another round of talks in the Saudi city of Mecca in December, according to the source -- who cannot be named because he is not allowed to speak publicly on this subject. The source has provided reliable information in the past.

Omar was not present at the September talks in Mecca, and he apparently doesn't want to take part in the political process.

The source said the Saudis believe Omar wants a commitment from Karzai to talk to the United States about phasing out U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

Karzai has said foreign troops are necessary for Afghanistan's security.

Behind the scenes, the United States accepts discussions between Afghan officials and the Taliban. But no one knows for certain how much influence Omar still wields.

The September discussions revealed that Omar was no longer allied with al Qaeda -- a position that has never been publicly stated and one that the Afghans and Saudis would like to see publicly affirmed.

Both the Saudis and Afghans believe winning Omar over is a worthwhile calculated risk that would erode Taliban strength and undermine al Qaeda. They say he doesn't control all of the Taliban, but is a serious political player with broad influence.

All About Hamid Karzai • Mullah Mohammed Omar • Afghanistan • Osama bin Laden