WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- The United States is skeptical about Taliban's intentions for peace in Afghanistan although some people in the militant group might be willing to reconcile and to renounce violence, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said on Monday.

    "We are skeptical about what the Taliban's ultimate intentions are ... But we recognize that at some point there might be some Taliban that are willing to reconcile and to renounce violence and to be productive members of the Afghanistan society.

    "But right now we just don't think that that's in the cards," Perino said when asked if the White House supports Afghan President Hamid Karzai's move to negotiate with Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar.

    Karzai said on Sunday that he would guarantee the safety of the Taliban leader Omar if he agreed to negotiate for a peaceful settlement of the worsening conflict in the country.

    With violence hitting new highs as the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan enters its eighth year, the United States and NATO officials have recently indicated increasing support for talks with Islamist insurgents as one way to reign in fighting across the country.

    U.S. and Afghan officials have tacitly acknowledged that negotiating with moderate Taliban commanders is a key part of a strategy currently under consideration by General David H. Petraeus, head of the U.S. Central Command.