Security handover, funds for reconciliation to top agenda of Afghanistan conference in London
By APWednesday, January 20, 2010
Security timetable to top Afghan conference in UK
LONDON — Britain’s ambassador to Kabul says an international conference next week on Afghanistan will likely set out a tentative timetable for handing over security to local forces.
Mark Sedwill told reporters in London on Wednesday that a general time should be agreed on for turning over security to Afghans in each province.
Sedwill said the hand-overs will not mean foreign troops will be gone, but said they are part of an overall strategy for their eventual withdrawal.
Sedwill said the conference in London on Jan. 28 will work on a reconciliation program to persuade Taliban fighters to lay down their weapons.
He said the meeting is likely to discuss pledges of funding for the reintegration process.
