NEW : Senior U.S. officials : The United States and the Taliban will hold new talks this week . American demands for the Taliban include requiring them to renounce terrorism and to distance themselves from al Qaeda , senior U.S. officials said . 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 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 .