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27/07/2009
Miliband Wants Talks With Taliban
After some of the bloodiest weeks in the Afghanistan conflict to date - with 20 UK troops killed this month alone - there has been a call to engage the insurgents in talks.
The Foreign Secretary David Miliband wants the Afghan government to hold talks with elements of the Taliban.
Mr Miliband said the insurgency was "divided", with many of those fighting against international forces doing so for "pragmatic" rather than ideological reasons.
He said the Afghan authorities should offer incentives to persuade insurgents to switch sides.
Speaking at Nato's headquarters in Brussels,he also called for the UK's Nato allies to take up a greater share of the military burden in Afghanistan.
Mr Miliband said the insurgents were being squeezed by military operations either side of the Durand Line separating Afghanistan from Pakistan.
"From this position, we need to help the Afghan government exploit the opportunity, with a more coherent effort to fragment the various elements of the insurgency, and turn those who can be reconciled to live within the Afghan Constitution.
"The basis for both reintegration and reconciliation is a starker choice: bigger incentives to switch sides and stay out of trouble, alongside tougher action against those who refuse," he said.
"The Afghan government needs effective grass-roots initiatives to offer an alternative to fight or flight for the foot soldiers of the insurgency.
"Essentially this means a clear route for former insurgents to return to their villages and go back to farming the land, or a role for some of them within the legitimate Afghan security forces."
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence is expected to name a soldier who died while on a vehicle patrol in Lashkar Gah District, central Helmand Province, on Saturday morning. He was from the 40th Regiment Royal Artillery, and the 20th British serviceman to die in Afghanistan this month.
(BMcC/JM)
The Foreign Secretary David Miliband wants the Afghan government to hold talks with elements of the Taliban.
Mr Miliband said the insurgency was "divided", with many of those fighting against international forces doing so for "pragmatic" rather than ideological reasons.
He said the Afghan authorities should offer incentives to persuade insurgents to switch sides.
Speaking at Nato's headquarters in Brussels,he also called for the UK's Nato allies to take up a greater share of the military burden in Afghanistan.
Mr Miliband said the insurgents were being squeezed by military operations either side of the Durand Line separating Afghanistan from Pakistan.
"From this position, we need to help the Afghan government exploit the opportunity, with a more coherent effort to fragment the various elements of the insurgency, and turn those who can be reconciled to live within the Afghan Constitution.
"The basis for both reintegration and reconciliation is a starker choice: bigger incentives to switch sides and stay out of trouble, alongside tougher action against those who refuse," he said.
"The Afghan government needs effective grass-roots initiatives to offer an alternative to fight or flight for the foot soldiers of the insurgency.
"Essentially this means a clear route for former insurgents to return to their villages and go back to farming the land, or a role for some of them within the legitimate Afghan security forces."
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence is expected to name a soldier who died while on a vehicle patrol in Lashkar Gah District, central Helmand Province, on Saturday morning. He was from the 40th Regiment Royal Artillery, and the 20th British serviceman to die in Afghanistan this month.
(BMcC/JM)
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30 July 2010
Combined Forces Launch Anti-Taliban Operation
A new offensive involving hundreds of British and Afghan soldiers has been launched against Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan. Operation Tor Ahezada, which means Black Prince, began early on Friday morning in the Helmand province.
Combined Forces Launch Anti-Taliban Operation
A new offensive involving hundreds of British and Afghan soldiers has been launched against Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan. Operation Tor Ahezada, which means Black Prince, began early on Friday morning in the Helmand province.
07 December 2010
MoD Name Afghanistan Soldier
A soldier killed in Afghanistan has been named by the Ministry of Defence. Private John Howard, from 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment was serving with 16 Air Assault Brigade's Reconnaissance Force when he was killed on Sunday. The 23-year-old New Zealand-born soldier was killed while on patrol against insurgents in Helmand province.
MoD Name Afghanistan Soldier
A soldier killed in Afghanistan has been named by the Ministry of Defence. Private John Howard, from 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment was serving with 16 Air Assault Brigade's Reconnaissance Force when he was killed on Sunday. The 23-year-old New Zealand-born soldier was killed while on patrol against insurgents in Helmand province.
28 January 2010
Karzai In London For Afghan Talks
The gradual handover of Afghan security matters to the country's own administration will begin this year, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said today. Meeting with the Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai in London, Mr Brown conceded difficult times still lie ahead for the region.
Karzai In London For Afghan Talks
The gradual handover of Afghan security matters to the country's own administration will begin this year, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said today. Meeting with the Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai in London, Mr Brown conceded difficult times still lie ahead for the region.
05 June 2003
Blunkett holds 'constructive' talks with Afghan President
The Home Secretary held what has been described as a "constructive" meeting with Afghan president Hamid Karzai in London today. David Blunkett said that the pair focused on the issue of asylum seekers and he hailed the "helpful cooperation" of the Afghan government on the issue. Mr Karzai is expected to meet with the Prime Minister later today.
Blunkett holds 'constructive' talks with Afghan President
The Home Secretary held what has been described as a "constructive" meeting with Afghan president Hamid Karzai in London today. David Blunkett said that the pair focused on the issue of asylum seekers and he hailed the "helpful cooperation" of the Afghan government on the issue. Mr Karzai is expected to meet with the Prime Minister later today.
05 November 2009
Soldier Dies As Five Victims Mourned
As news emerged that a British soldier from 3rd Battalion The Rifles had been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan today, a possible Taliban link to the death of five soldiers shot dead by an Afghan police officer last Tuesday has yet to be confirmed.
Soldier Dies As Five Victims Mourned
As news emerged that a British soldier from 3rd Battalion The Rifles had been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan today, a possible Taliban link to the death of five soldiers shot dead by an Afghan police officer last Tuesday has yet to be confirmed.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Clear start with a fairly widespread frost developing. Increasing cloud brings occasionally heavy rain overnight, preceded, especially over western hills, briefly by snow. Occasional southeasterly gales, severe near coasts, developing. Minimum temperature -2 °C.
