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    June 18, 2011

Karzai: US is Talking to Taliban

   VOA News
   Afghan President Hamid Karzai (file photo)
   Photo: AFP
   Afghan President Hamid Karzai (file photo)

   Afghan President Hamid Karzai says the United States and other foreign
   powers are holding talks with the Taliban about a possible settlement
   to the near decade-long war in Afghanistan.
   President Karzai said "foreign forces, and especially the United
   States" are carrying out the talks.
   Karzai's announcement is thought to be the first official comments on
   U.S. involvement in such negotiations.
   The Afghan leader was speaking Saturday at a press conference in the
   capital, Kabul.
   The U.S. Embassy in Kabul has declined immediate comment on Mr.
   Karzai's remarks.
   Earlier this week, U.S. President Barack Obama met with his top
   Afghanistan commander, General David Petraeus, to discuss plans for the
   eventual withdrawal of U.S. troops.
   A White House spokesman said they discussed a "broad array" of options.
   Obama has called for U.S. forces to begin pulling out of the country in
   July, with all combat troops set to leave Afghanistan by the end of
   2014.

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