Taliban refute reports of direct talks with Afghan authorities

The Taliban have denied reports that they are planning to send representatives to meet with Afghan government officials in Saudi Arabia.Rumors have swirled for days that President Hamid Karzais government was seeking direct talks to be held in the kingdom.A statement Wednesday from Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid says those reports are baseless.Mujahid says negotiations to end the 10-year-old war cannot begin until trust is established between the Islamist militants and the U.S. and its international coalition. He says that process has not started.The Taliban have so far expressed willingness only to talk with the U.S., calling the Afghan government a puppet. Washington insists eventual talks must be Afghan-led and involve Karzais government.