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Commanders of Taliban ‘will be given role in Afghan government’
Joe Murphy, Political Editor13 Nov 2009
A British strategy to divide the Taliban by giving moderate commanders new roles in the Afghan government has been revealed in a leaked memo.
The document urges president Hamid Karzai to weaken his enemies with a “combination of military pressure and clear signals that the option of an honourable exit from the fight exists”.
“Putting in place the right combination of carrot and stick, at the right moment, will be critical to changing the calculations of individual commanders and their men,” continues the memo, which was leaked to a Kabul newspaper. It says both warlords and foot soldiers should be offered peaceful roles.
The leak emerged as Gordon Brown increased pressure on Britain's Nato allies to “step up to the plate” by sending 5,000 reinforcements to the war. He issued a challenge to 10 countries to find the extra troops by following Britain's lead in pledging to send 500 more. Germany's ambassador said this morning that his country would send another 100 troops.
The Prime Minister stepped in as the future of the Afghanistan conflict was on a knife-edge, with deep divisions appearing in American president Barack Obama's war cabinet.
A key adviser to Nato warned that Mr Obama risked a Suez-style debacle if he failed to deploy enough troops. David Kilcullen, one of the world's leading authorities on counter-insurgency, said the “messy” delay in Washington to reach a decision had raised fears that the president would opt for a compromise.
“The middle ground is a good place on domestic issues, but not on strategy,” he warned. “You either commit to D-Day and invade the continent or you get Suez. Half-measures end up with Suez. Do it or not do it.”
About 300 MPs from Nato countries are gathering in Edinburgh this weekend with senior officials and commanders from the alliance headquarters, with Afghanistan top of the agenda.
Mr Brown's officials say he is relaxed about the apparent divisions in the Obama leadership, feeling confident that the president will set out a clear strategy soon after he returns from a nine-day tour of Asia next week.
But he is anxious that the delay in the decision is encouraging other allies to put off committing extra troops which are needed to train Afghan forces and contain Taliban insurgents. “We are all in it together and withdrawal now is inconceivable,” said a British official. “Therefore the allies have a vested interest in beating the Taliban.”
Mr Brown's official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister wants to encourage other countries to step up to the plate on both military and civilian endeavours.”
Reader views (3)
I see a distinct lack of other countries "stepping up to the plate".. I wonder why?
- John Bull, Londonistan, UK, 01/12/2009 17:00
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I´ve got an idea. Why don´t we put them in charge of the coalition troops? No? Oh well, just a thought.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands, 13/11/2009 15:46
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But we don't negotiate with terrorists? Flood gates open?
- Lance Johnson, Canterbury, Kent, 13/11/2009 10:02
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