ISTANBUL (AP) – Afghan President Hamid Karzai says the United States and Europe back his plan to invite some Taliban fighters to lay down their arms and reintegrate them into Afghan society. Karzai spoke Monday in Istanbul, three days ahead of a London conference on Afghanistan that is expected to focus on his government’s efforts to persuade Taliban militants to give up their fight. He says the offer would apply only to those Taliban who are not part of al-Qaida or other terrorist groups.
Karzai: Taliban reconciliation has West’s support
January 25, 2010