"In a private meeting, Jackson was unable to persuade Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice that a meeting with the Taliban would be worthwhile, the official said. The official said President Bush "has made clear what his demands are and they are not open to negotiation. It's time for action, not words.""
Jackson said he received a call from Taliban representatives Wednesday inviting him to lead a "peace delegation" to the region. However, the ambassador said Jackson came to them.