Negotiated peace with Taliban possible: NATO commander
By ANIMonday, January 25, 2010
KABUL - The United States’ top commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal has said there has been “enough fighting” going on the war-ravaged nation, and added that he is keen for a political and peaceful solution to the long-running conflict.
General McChrystal used a newspaper interview to say members of the Taliban could play a future role in governing the country.
He told the Financial Times: “As a soldier, my personal feeling is that there’s been enough fighting, and that what we need to do - all of us - is to do the fighting necessary to shape conditions where people can get on with their lives, and everybody can make a decision where fighting’s not the direction that it needs to go in. I believe a political solution to all conflicts is the inevitable outcome. And it’s the right outcome.”
He added: “It’s not my job to extend olive branches, but it is my job to help set conditions where people in the right positions can have options on the way forward.” (ANI)
