KABUL, Dec 11 (Reuters) - The Taliban on Monday backed away from comments they might join tribal councils aimed at ending growing violence in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Senior spokesman Sayed Tayeb Agha said the rebels would never join such talks as long as foreign soldiers remained in Afghanistan. "Such jirgas (councils) are aimed at protecting American interests only. Such jirgas are neither independent nor do they take independent decisions," he told Reuters from a secret location. "The Taliban will not take part in any jirga in the presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan because such jirgas or meetings have no significance." There are about 40,000 foreign troops in the country under separate NATO and U.S. commands. But while Afghanistan and Pakistan agree jirgas should be held, they have so far failed to agree on when, how or who should be included. Kabul wants all Afghan tribes involved. Islamabad wants the councils restricted to the border tribes -- essentially the Pashtuns from which the Taliban draws its support. Government and political leaders in both countries say at least moderate elements of the resurgent Taliban must be included in any talks to end the fighting. A Taliban spokesman said on Sunday the group might join the jirga talks if asked, but Agha -- a more senior official closer to the group's leader -- said that did not reflect the militants' position. Pakistani Foreign Minister Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri met officials in Kabul on the jirgas last week but no agreement was reached.
