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US Backs Afghan Plan to Reintegrate Taliban

   VOA News 27 January 2010

   The  United States is backing an Afghan plan to allow Taliban fighters
   who lay down their weapons to reintegrate into Afghan society.
   U.S.  special  representative  Richard Holbrooke expressed support for
   the  plan Wednesday on the eve of an international donor conference on
   Afghanistan in London.
   Afghan  President  Hamid  Karzai  is expected to unveil details of the
   "reintegration" plan during the conference.
   At  a  news  briefing  Wednesday,  Holbrooke  told  reporters that any
   Taliban  members  rejoining Afghan society will have to lay down their
   weapons  and  repudiate any ties to al-Qaida.  The American envoy said
   other  "unacceptable"  Taliban policies will have to be discussed - in
   particular, the group's treatment of women.
   Ministers from more than 60 countries are expected in London for talks
   on stabilizing Afghanistan.
   Mr.  Karzai  says  Afghanistan wants to gradually reduce the burden on
   its international partners.
   Despite  widespread  comments  about  the  future  role  of individual
   Taliban  members, the group's own Web site cast doubt Wednesday on the
   prospects   of  any  progress  during  the  London  talks,  dismissing
   Thursday's conference as a "waste of time."
   Mr.  Karzai has warned that military action alone cannot stabilize his
   country.   The  Afghan  president arrived in London late Wednesday and
   immediately  began  a  round  of  meetings with British Prime Minister
   Gordon Brown.
   The  United  States,  Britain  and other countries have sent more than
   100,000  troops  to help stabilize Afghanistan, with additional forces
   on the way.
   Former  Afghan  foreign  minister  and presidential candidate Abdullah
   Abdullah  said  Wednesday  the  London  conference  will  bring needed
   attention  to  Afghanistan.   However,  he  expressed doubt the Karzai
   government   would  meet  the  expectations  of  the  people  and  the
   international community.

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

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