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01/07/2010
No Peace Talks Says 'Victorious' Taliban
A Taliban statement rejected peace moves has been today described as "uncompromising, almost contemptuous".
The Taliban in Afghanistan have told the BBC that there is "no question" of their entering into any kind of negotiations with Nato forces - as they say they are winning the war.
The move comes after US commanders and the British Army Chief of Staff, Gen David Richards, suggested that it might be useful to talk to the Taliban.
The insurgents think that the Americans are in disarray after the sacking of the Nato commander Gen Stanley McChrystal last week, and regard any suggestion that they should enter negotiations with them as a sign of Nato's own weakness.
They believe they are winning the war, and cannot see why they should help Nato by talking to them.
In June, they point out, has seen the highest number of Nato deaths in Afghanistan: 102, an average of more than three a day.
An acknowledged spokesman for the Afghan Taliban leadership told the BBC: "We do not want to talk to anyone - not to [President Hamid] Karzai, nor to any foreigners - till the foreign forces withdraw from Afghanistan.
"We are certain that we are winning. Why should we talk if we have the upper hand, and the foreign troops are considering withdrawal, and there are differences in the ranks of our enemies?"
(BMcC/GK)
The Taliban in Afghanistan have told the BBC that there is "no question" of their entering into any kind of negotiations with Nato forces - as they say they are winning the war.
The move comes after US commanders and the British Army Chief of Staff, Gen David Richards, suggested that it might be useful to talk to the Taliban.
The insurgents think that the Americans are in disarray after the sacking of the Nato commander Gen Stanley McChrystal last week, and regard any suggestion that they should enter negotiations with them as a sign of Nato's own weakness.
They believe they are winning the war, and cannot see why they should help Nato by talking to them.
In June, they point out, has seen the highest number of Nato deaths in Afghanistan: 102, an average of more than three a day.
An acknowledged spokesman for the Afghan Taliban leadership told the BBC: "We do not want to talk to anyone - not to [President Hamid] Karzai, nor to any foreigners - till the foreign forces withdraw from Afghanistan.
"We are certain that we are winning. Why should we talk if we have the upper hand, and the foreign troops are considering withdrawal, and there are differences in the ranks of our enemies?"
(BMcC/GK)
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Briton 'kidnapped' by Taliban in Afghanistan
A Briton has reportedly been kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan. According to reports, a Briton and two Afghans have been kidnapped in the Helmand province in the south of the country. Initial reports suggest that the group may be journalists. According to reports, the two Afghans are known to work as translators with western journalists.
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As the Queen remembered veterans of the Iraq conflict today in London, news came through of a further tragedy on the current 'frontline. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced that a soldier, who was serving with 1st Battalion The Coldstream Guards, has died in an explosion near Camp Bastion, in central Helmand, Afghanistan.
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Household Cavalry Soldier Killed In Afghanistan
A British soldier has been killed while on patrol in the southern province of Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced. The soldier died after an explosion 14 miles north of the Taliban stronghold of Helmand yesterday. The MoD said the soldier had served in D Squadron of the Household Cavalry regiment.
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A British soldier has been killed while on patrol in the southern province of Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced. The soldier died after an explosion 14 miles north of the Taliban stronghold of Helmand yesterday. The MoD said the soldier had served in D Squadron of the Household Cavalry regiment.
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