Although these talks are welcome, the representatives of the Taliban are fringe guys...

Would the hardcore TB guys really want to talk? Probably not...however, district commanders in some areas may be amenable to such activities...the question is, what will the government have to give up to get the TB to stop fighting? I'm willing to bet more than it would compromise.

And does anyone really believe the TB and AQ will completely part ways?

I don't...

Key thing to remember is that the TB is not monolithic and is also not the only group fighting in Afghanistan.