UK’s Brown says conference on Afghanistan likely to endorse reconciliation with Taliban
By APMonday, January 25, 2010
UK: Talks to approve Taliban reconciliation plan
LONDON — British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says an international conference on Afghanistan will likely endorse plans to lure Taliban fighters to lay down their weapons.
Brown told a news conference Monday that plans for reconciliation with some of those currently fighting international troops would be addressed at talks in London Thursday.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and international foreign ministers will attend to discuss future strategy.
Brown welcomed plans to reintegrate those who renounce violence. He says it is “right to believe that over the long-term we can split the Taliban.”
The British leader says the conference will also confirm plans to rapidly increase the number of Afghan soldiers and police.
