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Afghan President Calls for Talks with Taleban Militants
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=16001D2:A6F02AD83191E160E0B690F01FC2A1969574F7DCC14957C0 Hamid Karzai made
comment during ceremony at main Shi'ite mosque in Kabul, Monday





Hamid Karzai gestures during  muharram procession at main Shiite
Muslim mosque in KabulAfghan President Hamid Karzai has again called
for reconciliation talks with Taleban militants.

In remarks to people gathered at the main Shi'ite mosque in Kabul
Monday, Mr. Karzai referred to what he called "the enemy who wants our
destruction and sheds our blood." He did not refer to the Taleban by
name.

The Afghan leader has made similar offers of talks before, but Taleban
leaders have rebuffed them.

Last year saw a dramatic increase in Taleban militant attacks against
U.S., NATO and Afghan forces in Afghanistan. At least four thousand
people were killed in insurgency-related violence.

U.S. and NATO military leaders in the country are warning of a new
Taleban offensive in the coming months, as the snows thaw and mountain
roads become more accessible.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP .


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