NEW : Senior U.S. officials : The United States and the Taliban will hold new talks this week . A Taliban spokesman says they will not negotiate with Afghanistan 's ` ` puppet '' government . Zabiullah Mujahid writes in an e - mail that the Taliban wants direct talks with Americans . The rejection of a key American diplomat could derail negotiating efforts .
NEW : Senior U.S. officials : The United States and the Taliban may hold new talks this month . A Taliban spokesman says they will not meet with Afghanistan 's `` puppet '' government . Zabiullah Mujahid writes in an e-mail that the Taliban want direct talks with Americans . The rejection of a key American condition could derail negotiating efforts .