">Forum Views () 
">Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
Afghans should handle Taliban talks: envoy  
 
 
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
  
 
 
    
Navigation
Primary Navigation
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
 
Australia
China
India
 Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
 
Search
 
 
Search:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Afghans should handle Taliban talks: envoy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 AFP - Thursday, March 12
WASHINGTON (AFP) - - The United States should let Afghans handle talks with the Taliban and steer clear of an Iraq-like plan to arm local leaders against Al-Qaeda, the Afghan ambassador to the United States has said.
ADVERTISEMENT
 
 
 
 
  
US President Barack Obama has floated the idea of talking to moderates within the Taliban -- whose extremist regime was ousted in 2001 -- as part of his new strategy to put down an insurgency and bring stability.
"We must have a coordinated and unified approach on talking to the Taliban, and the conduit should be through the Afghan government," the Afghan diplomat, Said Jawad, said in a speech at Harvard University.
Jawad cautioned Western leaders who have said the Taliban are winning.
"If they are not losing, why should they talk to us?" he asked.
"Negotiation and reconciliation with the Taliban will succeed only if we talk to them from the position of strength and with a clear and strong stand on human rights, women's rights and the Afghan Constitution," he said, according to his prepared text.
Obama himself said the United States was not winning the war in Afghanistan, in an interview Saturday to The New York Times.
Obama, while acknowledging Afghanistan was different, noted successes in Iraq under then US commander General David Petraeus, who worked with local Sunni leaders fed up with Al-Qaeda -- even those with "fundamentalist" beliefs.
Jawad warned decades of war in his country meant "Afghanistan is not Iraq."
"The true and traditional tribal leaders are now replaced by warlords and narco-traffickers. To arm them will have serious repercussions to the stability of Afghanistan and the region," he said.
Jawad said Afghanistan has long engaged in dialogue with Taliban members and has won over some 600 "mid-level commanders."
He said such mid-level Taliban members often had grievances over civilian casualties from US and NATO air strikes or over abuses by the Afghan government, but that they "can be reconciled through dialogue, buying off, bribery and coercion."
The ambassador added that it was also possible to bring in low-level Taliban who joined the movement only to escape poverty, saying they simply needed jobs.
But Jawad said dialogue was futile with hardcore ideological Taliban and Al-Qaeda members -- who he said were more deeply rooted in Afghanistan than in Iraq.
"They must be defeated or eliminated by force," he said. "We mustn't forget that in 2001, there were talks with the Taliban for it to deliver Osama bin Laden, but that yielded no success."
Separately, the ambassador welcomed the commitment against extremism of Pakistan's civilian president, Asif Ali Zardari. But Jawad said that Pakistan's army has yet to consider extremists its enemy.
Pakistan had supported the Taliban regime until the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
"The perceived enemy has always been and remains to be India. In this battle, extremists are considered an ally," Jawad said.
He voiced hope that US diplomacy would help allay the Pakistani army's mistrust of India. Muslim Pakistan and secular but predominantly Hindu India have fought three full-fledged wars since their separation at birth in 1947.
 
 
 
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
 
 
   
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
  
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Tibet's Potala Palace receives protection boostAP - Thursday, March 12
China plans subsidies for unemployed migrantsAP - Thursday, March 12
Pakistan charge protesters at march launchAFP - Friday, March 13
After fighting, Sri Lanka needs devolution: IndiaAFP - Thursday, March 12
Two French men sentenced over child sex in AsiaAFP - Thursday, March 12
 
 
 
 
 
 Enlarge Photo
 
Afghans should handle Taliban talks: envoy
 
 
 
Related Photos
 
 
 
Slideshow Full Photo Coverage: War On Terror
 
 
 
 
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
 
 
 
 
 
 Viewed
 
 
 
 
Chimp used planning skills to attack humans
 
 
Global airlines warn of stormy 2009
 
 
German school gunman kills 15
 
 
German industrial slump stuns analysts
 
 
World population to reach nine billion by 2050: UN projections
 
 
View Complete List »
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy 
- Terms of Service 
- Community 
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy 
- Help
        
    
 
   
 
Other News on Thursday, 12 March 2009 Sarkozy says France will rejoin NATO command
| International
|  
Rebel soldier ousts Madagascar's army chief
| International
|  
Banker seriously injured in Moscow attack: reports
| International
|  
U.S. queries Israel's toilet-paper rules for Gaza
| International
|  
Ecuador captures FARC rebel wanted by U.S.
| International
|  
Google to target ads based on online activity
| Technology
|  
New EBay will zero in on PayPal as growth slows
| Technology
|  
Intel chief worried about U.S. deficit
| Technology
|  
Comcast says it's now No. 3 U.S. home phone provider
| Technology
|  
Vodafone to offer restriction-free music service
| Technology
|  
Ashton Kutcher wrestles with life in new movie
| Entertainment
|  
Rare Roy Rogers guitar heading for auction block
| Entertainment
|  
Big Love network apologizes to Mormons
| Entertainment
|  
North Korea tells international agencies of rocket plans
| International
|  
Former Saddam aide Tareq Aziz jailed for 15 years  
Teenage gunman kills 15 in German school attack
| International
|  
Iraqis defend security forces after attacks  
U.S. tries to play down naval confrontation with China
| International
|  
Reporter detained in Iran in good spirits  
Sarkozy says France will rejoin NATO command
| International
|  
US urges G20 to back economies throughout crisis  
Saddam's mouthpiece Tareq Aziz jailed for murder  
Security tight as Pakistani protesters gather
| International
|  
Gas leak delays launch of space shuttle Discovery  
Jobless China graduates mired in gloom amid slowdown
| International
|  
Tariq Aziz, Saddam-era official, gets 15-year term  
World population to reach nine billion by 2050: UN projections  
Sri Lanka troops kill Tamil Tiger finance chief
| International
|  
More tribes sign peace deal with Pakistan: official  
Global airlines warn of stormy 2009  
Germany issues warrant for Nazi guard suspect
| International
|  
German industrial slump stuns analysts  
China's SARS hero demands apology for detention
| International
|  
Freddie Mac board names interim CEO, chairman  
Norway pension fund loses 71.5 bln euros  
Zimbabwe court orders release of MDC official
| International
|  
German school gunman kills 15  
Population growth, climate change sparking water crisis: UN  
Population growth, climate change sparking water crisis: UN  
Man with grudge kills 10 in Alabama shooting spree  
Panama must adjust labor laws, trade lawmaker says  
Google turns voicemail to email
| Technology
|  
Officials: US to name envoy for Gitmo closure  
Apple rolls out talking iPod Shuffle
| Technology
|  
Online networking more popular than email
| Technology
|  
Italy high court backs govt in CIA kidnap case: ANSA  
Engineers find way to build a better battery
| Technology
|  
Getty Images in deal to distribute Flickr photos  
eBay zeroes in on PayPal in much-needed overhaul
| Technology
|  
Obama signs $410 billion bill to fund U.S. government  
Facebook goes live in Arabic  
Google to target ads based on online activity
| Technology
|  
Staff Sgt. Chad Caldwell: `Life of the platoon'  
Miami Herald sacks 175, cuts wages  
SAP, Sybase plan iPhone, Windows Mobile software
| Technology
|  
German arrest warrant for Nazi guard 'Ivan the Terrible'  
Google launches targeted advertising system  
Microsoft unveils mobile phone application store plans  
LonelyGirl15 starring in WB.com series
| Technology
|  
Intel's Barret worried about U.S. deficit
| Technology
|  
French lawmakers debate anti-piracy bill  
German flags at half mast after school bloodbath  
Cablevision to stop selling analog TV by year-end
| Technology
|  
Wal-Mart to enter medical records digitization market  
Sarkozy marches France back into NATO command  
Battery breakthrough promises phone, car revolution  
Spain marks fifth anniversary of Madrid train bombings  
eBay zeroes in on PayPal in much-needed overhaul  
ADVISORY: Wal-Mart e-records story is withdrawn  
Battery breakthrough promises phone, car revolution  
Germany issues warrant for Nazi camp guard  
Nokia launches 3 music phones  
Seven hurt in grenade blast in Kiev: Interfax  
British police help with Bangladesh mutiny probe  
Jonas Brothers announce world tour dates
| Entertainment
|  
Tom Brokaw to hit the road for new TV project
| Entertainment
|  
Aussie Ogilvy seeks to defend WGC title  
Chris Brown withdraws from Kids' Choice Awards
| Entertainment
|  
NKorea accuses Obama's government of interference  
Prince books four-night Leno gig
| Entertainment
|  
Clinton says "range of options" on N.Korea missile  
Icahn says talks with Lions Gate break down
| Entertainment
|  
'Peking Man' 200,000 years older than thought: study  
Rare Roy Rogers guitar heading for auction block  
Clinton, Chinese minister meet amid sea tensions  
US, China play down tension as talks begin  
U2 makes 7th trip to top of U.S. album chart
| Entertainment
|  
Beijing urges US to respect China's security: state media  
Sri Lanka tightens security after suicide blast  
4 bodies recovered from capsized Thai dive boat  
SKorea central bank freezes key interest rate at two percent  
Thousands behind White House vegetable 'plot'  
China's exports make record drop, but car sales up  
Japanese economy shrinks 12.1 percent in Q4  
Danish sex museum closes for lack of money  
Seoul shares open flat, LG Display tumbles  
Britain's Fat Duck restaurant reopening after health scare  
NZ manufacturing falls for 10th month in Feb-survey  
Judge orders rapper 'C-Murder' to remain jailed  
New Zealand food prices rise 0.2 pct  
Book: Columbine shooters mentally ill, not bullied  
NZ central bank cuts key rate for 6th time  
Advocates say program keeps kids awake  
Cut-price Britain-Asia airline takes off  
From Russia with love by Kenzo  
Pakistan's 6-mth T-bill cut-off yield at 11.7845  
Tyra Banks takes on issue of teen dating violence  
Sesame Workshop announces layoffs  
Kazakh leader calls for single global currency  
Rare Roy Rogers guitar heading for auction block  
Vodafone to offer restriction-free music service  
Afghans should handle Taliban talks: envoy  
Helicopter crashes off Canada coast, 17 missing
| International
|  
International aid workers kidnapped in Darfur
| International
|  
German town in shock after school shootings
| International
|  
Drug firm Roche in $46.8 bln deal for Genentech  
Iraq shoe thrower sentenced to three years in jail
| International
|  
Air France-KLM readying to order long-haul jets: report  
Teens with low vitamin D have higher risk of heart disease  
Austrian incest father set to go on trial
| International
|  
Israeli hiker falls to death from rescue helicopter
| International
|  
Pope pained over hate, hostility against him
| International
|  
Population growth, climate change sparking water crisis: UN  
After Iraq, more US caution on preemptive attacks: Gates  
Alabama gunman kept 'gripe list,' survival gear  
Nortel in talks to break itself up: report
| Technology
|  
Apple rolls out talking iPod Shuffle  
Facebook begins rolling out revamped home page  
Sirius XM sees better results in difficult 2009
| Technology
|  
Dell cutting jobs in North Carolina, Texas  
Thousands protest for peace in N. Ireland  
Comcast says it's now No. 3 U.S. home phone provider  
Chris Brown withdraws from Kids' Choice Awards
| Entertainment
|  
U2 want to rework early music
| Entertainment
|  
Tibet's Potala Palace receives protection boost  
Marvel delays The Avengers, Thor releases
| Entertainment
|  
China plans subsidies for unemployed migrants  
Jackson extends UK run to 44 gigs, fans frustrated
| Entertainment
|  
Pakistan charge protesters at march launch  
UK paper sloppy over Peaches Geldof article
| Entertainment
|  
After fighting, Sri Lanka needs devolution: India  
Two French men sentenced over child sex in Asia  
Rising navy, assertiveness behind US-China flap  
Report: NKorea indicates April satellite launch  
N.Korea to launch satellite in early April: SKorea  
Japanese economy shrank 12.1% in Q4  
Global Weather-Celsius  
Japan confirms nightmare Q4 as Asian markets fade  
NKorea says it is taking launch safety measures  
FACTBOX-South Korean measures to fight crisis  
Japan wants G20 to work together on economy  
Tourist plunge exacerbates Pakistan woes  
Icahn says talks with Lions Gate break down  
China plans subsidies for unemployed migrants  
Prince books four-night Leno gig  
China retail sales growth slows, as consumers fret  
It's a boy for Anne Heche and beau James Tupper  
HIGHLIGHTS-S.Korea central bank chief comments after rate pause  
Jack White forms yet another new band, new CD  
Jasmine Murray dismissed from 'American Idol'  
China industrial output up, retail spending weaker  
Nintendo sells 100 million DS consoles  
U2 makes 7th trip to top of U.S. album chart  
Tom Brokaw to hit the road for new TV project  
Jon Stewart, Jim Cramer to take each other on  
pedal-powered submarine for two, $70.000 price tag  
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro  
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found  
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever  
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production  
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time  
AMD to Start Production of piledriver  
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs  
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia  
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air  
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch  
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent  
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up  
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform  
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis  
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets  
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights