Ahead of London forum, Afghan leader says West backs his plan to reconcile with some Taliban
By APMonday, January 25, 2010
Karzai: Taliban reconciliation has West’s support
ISTANBUL — Afghan President Hamid Karzai says the United States and Europe back his plan to invite some Taliban fighters to lay down their arms and reintegrate them into Afghan society.
Karzai spoke Monday in Istanbul, three days ahead of a London conference on Afghanistan that is expected to focus on his government’s efforts to persuade Taliban militants to give up their fight. He says the offer would apply only to those Taliban who are not part of al-Qaida or other terrorist groups.
Karzai was in Turkey for a meeting with Turkish President Abdullah Gul and President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan, a nation that has also struggled with Islamic militancy and has had tense relations with Afghanistan over their porous border. Militants have used Pakistani territory to launch attacks in Afghanistan.
