Afghan talks show `long haul' lies ahead. Analysts see need for
direct resistance, Soviet role in peace talks  By , Special to
The Christian Science Monitor  United Nations officials have
expressed cautious optimism that indirect peace talks on
Afghanistan between Kabul and Islamabad may finally result in an
accelerated timetable for the withdrawal of Soviet troops from
Afghanistan. But few informed observers here believe an
agreement will produce an imminent end to the bitter Afghan
conflict, now in its eighth year.  At the start of the so-called
``proximity talks'' last Wednesday, UN Undersecretary-General
Diego Cordovez said that both sides had promised to come back
with an open mind and new proposals to resolve the withdrawal
issue - the most crucial aspect of negotiations.  Previous
negotiations have been slow and difficult because of deep
mistrust between the two sides. Conference sources said the
current talks - the ninth such round since 1982 - could last
anywhere from several days to three weeks. ``I