David Cameron urges Taliban to join peace talks
DAVID Cameron yesterday urged the Taliban to join peace talks as Britain prepares to pull its troops out of Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister joined the presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan, Hamid Karzai and Asif Ali Zardari, in making the direct appeal after talks at Chequers.
Both leaders also pledged to work towards a peace deal within six months. They agreed in principle to a strategic partnership and to open an office in Qatar for negotiations between the Taliban and Afghan High Peace Council.
Pakistan has long been a supporter of the Afghan Taliban but has been fighting a war with insurgents on its own territory along the border with Afghanistan.
Mr Cameron said the agreement should send a clear message to the Taliban.
“Now is the time for everyone to participate in a peaceful, political process in Afghanistan,” he said.
“This should lead to a future where all Afghans can participate peacefully in that country’s political process.” The move is highly controversial given that Britain has lost 440 personnel since launching operations against the Taliban in 2001.
Major Charles Heyman, editor of The Armed Forces Of The United Kingdom, said: “People who have lost a loved one or lost limbs will find this difficult to accept.”
