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David Miliband urges talks with moderate Taliban
27.07.09
Foreign Secretary David Miliband today stepped up pressure on the Afghan government to undermine the insurgency targeting British troops by holding talks with elements of the Taliban.
Mr Miliband said the insurgency was "divided", with many of those fighting against international forces doing so for "pragmatic" rather than ideological reasons.
Speaking at Nato's headquarters in Brussels, he said the Afghan authorities should offer incentives to persuade insurgents to switch sides.
He also called for the UK's Nato allies to take up a greater share of the military burden in Afghanistan.
Mr Miliband said the insurgents were being squeezed by military operations either side of the Durand Line separating Afghanistan from Pakistan.
"From this position, we need to help the Afghan government exploit the opportunity, with a more coherent effort to fragment the various elements of the insurgency, and turn those who can be reconciled to live within the Afghan Constitution.
"The basis for both reintegration and reconciliation is a starker choice: bigger incentives to switch sides and stay out of trouble, alongside tougher action against those who refuse.
"The Afghan government needs effective grass-roots initiatives to offer an alternative to fight or flight for the foot soldiers of the insurgency.
"Essentially this means a clear route for former insurgents to return to their villages and go back to farming the land, or a role for some of them within the legitimate Afghan security forces."
With UK forces paying a heavy price during operations this month, Mr Miliband said: "In recent weeks in Britain the debate about Afghanistan has centred on military tactics and military operations.
"People in Britain know why we all committed to this mission.
"They want to know that all of the members of our Alliance are ready to give it the priority and commitment that it deserves.
"Burden sharing is a founding principle of the Alliance ... It needs to be honoured in practice as well as in theory by all of us."
The Ministry of Defence is today expected to name a soldier who died while on a vehicle patrol in Lashkar Gah District, central Helmand Province, on Saturday morning.
He was from the 40th Regiment Royal Artillery, and the 20th British serviceman to die in Afghanistan this month.
Reader views (7)
Hang on, I thought we didn't negotiate with terrorists.
Unless of course there happens to be a general election on the way and the amount of taliban already in this country could sway the vote in Labour's favour.
"The basis for both reintegration and reconciliation is a starker choice: bigger incentives to switch sides and stay out of trouble, alongside tougher action against those who refuse. What? like handing out ASBO's?
- Jimbob, Kensington
Kevin Sullivan.
I think you will find that not talking to Hitler resulted in us winning the 2nd world war. Macmillian tried to appease him with his "peace in our time" declaration.
Israel tried to deal with Arafat by talking. That was a waste of time as he was unable to keep the terrorists happy so they started the Intifada.
Talking to the Taliban or Al Qaeda is also pointless. You can't negotiate with someone who thinks that the only solution to their problems is that you die.
Milliband is just showing what a complete incompetent numpty he and the rest of the Govt. are.
- Adam, Harrow, UK
David Milliband = Blair Lite (and that's not a compliment). Still, I'm sure he'll impress us all this time next year - from the Opposition benches.
- Austen, London
".. moderate Taliban .."
I believe you will find that is an oxymoron.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
More spin and waffle from Milibanana.
- Reuben Camara, Republic of Morecambe, UK
Funny is'nt it how politicians the world over always finally realise that to make peace, you must talk to your enemies! Can anyone tell me of an instance where not talking to your enemy brought about a lasting peace? My question is why does it take so long for our politicians to arrive at this conclusion, after all, its not rocket science is it?
- Kevin Sullivan, Roehampton, London.
A silly boy attempting to do a mans job.
- Steve, London
