Washington, April 20: There may be a possibility of “reconciliation” in Afghanistan through talks with some Taliban leaders, but any such effort to take into account the interests of its neighbouring countries, a top American General said today.
“I think at some point it may be possible to have reconciliation. That is now talks at very high levels between the Afghan government and leaders of various extremist elements, including the Taliban,” General David Petraeus, Commander of US Central Command, told Bloomberg television.
Responding to a question regarding reintegration of the Taliban and the reconciliation process, Petreus said while attempts were being made to talk, the Afghan side should know “what your red lines are”.
“I think any kind of major reconciliation endeavour would have to take into account interests of some of the neighbouring countries depending on which group it is that the discussions are being conducted with,” Petraeus said.
“Well, Pakistan would have to be part of this process clearly,” he said without naming any other country.
He said it was important in this situation to think through ahead of time.
The Afghan government has recently held talks with a section of the Taliban leaders, in a bid to seek reconciliation in the war-torn country.
“Certainly the prospect of reintegration, which is talking with lower and mid-level leaders which has been going on in accordance with interim guidance issued by President Karzai and our leaders in the field, that’s very, very possible and, in fact, has been happening,” said the US General, who was recently in Afghanistan.
“Reconciliation may happen. It is possible at some point in time. I think Secretary (of Defense, Robert) Gates, is correct when he has questioned whether it is in a sense coming soon to a theatre near us.
“But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t think your way through that well in advance, know what your red lines are,” Petraeus said.
Responding to a question, Petraeus said through President Barack Obama’s engagement with his national security team that took place in the Afghan policy review has come out a “good degree of consensus about the way forward and vastly greater understanding of some of the very nuanced aspects of the effort in Afghanistan and also, of course, in Pakistan”.
–PTI