Lots of photo opportunities for the Prime Minister in Afghanistan, looking almost louche in shirt-sleeves and tie, but he’s attempted to provide some much needed direction for the Afghan mission. Last month, David Miliband said that Nato must talk to the Taliban and the Guardian reports that Brown is considering reconciliation also. Here are the details:
‘A source close to Brown suggested negotiations with insurgents sympathetic to the Taliban, persuading them to switch sides, now formed a key component of Britain’s war effort. He added: “The more reconciliation, the better.”
Diplomatic sources in Helmand suggested such efforts could be on a large scale: “A large part of the Taliban are not really committed to their agenda. They are fighting for tactical reasons and can be brought back into mainstream life.”
Brown also suggested the planned training of an Afghan army capable of taking responsibility for its own country’s defence could be accelerated by a year, potentially speeding up the departure of Nato troops.
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