Hamid Karzai says simply increasing the number of troops does not address the real problem. Negotiating with the Taliban is the solution. Ask Pakistan how that worked out for them.
Obama will most likely agree if we continue to see coalition deaths rise month over month.
You know, I used to have a lot of respect for Afghan President Karzai after Bush helped bring him into power after the overthrow of the Taliban in 2001. Over the last couple years, he’s turned into a complete lame duck and now he’s even worse. Calling for negotiations with the Taliban? He’s serious?
Yes he is…
The president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, has urged the West to develop a new strategy for his country, warning that more troops will not necessarily improve security.
“Military operations are no longer enough,” he said as the deaths of British and coalition soldiers in Afghanistan reached their highest monthly total of the eight-year war. “We have to rethink the way we do things — without that there won’t be any improvement.”
Karzai called for negotiations with the Taliban. Even Mullah Omar, the Taliban leader, should be encouraged to attend talks, he said.
Speaking yesterday in an office so heavily secured that journalists are no longer allowed to take in pens or lipstick, the president expressed his sorrow at the mounting toll of British troops but cast doubt on the value of sending more.
[...]
“We must engage in negotiations, bring back those Taliban who are willing to return, who have been driven out by fear and coercion and the mistakes we’ve all made. They are part of this country and must be called back.” He said he welcomed a speech last week by Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, in which she held out an olive branch to Taliban militants who renounce violence.
“We’ve been talking about this for years but didn’t have enough support or understanding from our allies,” he said. “I see in the new administration a lot more willingness to engage in peace talks.”
Translation: “The new American President is willing to bend over and grab his ankles if that’s what it takes to ensure peace in Afghanistan. That Evil George Bush would never negotiate…boo hoo.
Let’s not forget what has happened in Pakistan when they tried “negotiating” with a force of evil that will only exploit your weakness for their advantage. Now we see Pakistan growing increasingly under Taliban control and it’s all because Pakistan tried to “negotiate” as Karzai wants us to do.
The Saudi government has already hosted some tentative negotiations. Karzai promised that, if re-elected as president, he would make talks with the Taliban and other militant groups, such as Hezb Islami, his priority. “If Mullah Omar wants to come and talk, he’s welcome — it’s a desire we have and we should try for it,” he said. “Without a sincere peace process on all sides, matters will only get worse.”
So far this month 46 foreign soldiers have been killed, 16 of them British. “We don’t want British mothers finding their 18-year-old sons coming home in coffins,” Karzai said. “We’re very sorry about what has happened in Helmand.”
Related posts:
- Britain and US prepared to open talks with the Taliban
- HuffPo: Time to “Negotiate” with the Taliban
- British PM: 80 percent of Taliban “not hardcore”
- Polish hostage in Pakistan urges release of Taliban prisoners
- Afghanistan: “Worse than the Taliban” New law rolls back women’s rights
- Taliban: Obama’s call for talks with “moderate Taliban” are “illogical”
- BBC Reports that Taliban leader Mullah Omar has been killed
- Another Taliban Leader Captured in Pakistan
- Former Gitmo inmate now Taliban leader
- Gitmo jihadi released, rejoins Taliban
