Afghan leader to host peace conference in spring

[NJmaverick]

Source: Associated Press

KABUL – Afghan President Hamid Karzai says an action plan for reintegrating Taliban fighters into society and talking with the insurgency's top leaders will be crafted at a spring peace conference in Kabul.
At a news conference Monday with U.S. Secretary Robert Gates, Karzai says Afghans from all sections of the nation and all walks of life will be attending the so-called jirga.
He says the government is extending an offer to reconcile with members of the Taliban who renounce ties to al-Qaida or other terrorist networks and agree to embrace the Afghan constitution.
Afghan Education Minister Farooq Wardak, who is working to set up the meeting, told members of the parliament on Monday that 1,400 people will attend the three-day jirga, which will start on April 29.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100308/ap_on_re_as/as_afghanistan;_ylt=AqEvAO3mH5gbxsxZcqjCkxxvaA8F;_ylu=X3oDMTJqY3Fpbjk1BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMzA4L2FzX2FmZ2hhbmlzdGFuBHBvcwMxBHNlYwN5bl9hcnRpY2xlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDYWZnaGFubGVhZGVy

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This is the path to success in Afghanistan. Victory will come from ending the conflict and cutting Al Qaeda ties rather than defeating the Taliban

[tekisui]

1. But, we were told the surge was focused on making sure the Taliban

didn't return to power.

This is a better approach. Not sure why we need to keep killing and dying for this route.

[NJmaverick]

2. The Taliban as a whole is not going to go willingly to the peace table

especially if they believe they have a good prospect for victory. However as things get worse and worse for the Taliban, at least some of their numbers are going to be tempted to end the fighting. Odds are good that the hard core and the worst elements of the Taliban will not partake in the peaces process. However if enough of their members and their allies join in the process the Taliban will no longer be a threat to the Afghan government or stability in the region. At that point in will be safe for the US to leave and not put the Afghan people or our national security at risk.

[ixion]

3. I'll believe your 'path' when I see it...at which point

I will admit I was wrong. HOWEVER, until this 'success' is achieved I will stick to my opinion that there is no such thing possible when brokered at the hands of an occupying nation.

[Robb]

4. This won't work

...while Karzai is in power. It just won't. You won't see anyone important in the Taliban showing up unless Karzai's out of the picture.

Ghulam Farooq Wardak is Karzai's "edge" with Hezb-e Islami, he thinks, since he's from the same area. But they absolutely hate Karzai.

[NJmaverick]

5. Historically when it comes to war, personal likes, dislikes and hate really don't matter

consider that the US and UK teamed up with a monster like Stalin in WW2. Consider the US was allies with Saddam before Bushes invaded his Country. When it comes to war and peace it's all about self interest. If the Taliban sees that victory is not possible many will be tempted to gain power with in the existing frame work. Remember many of the Taliban's allies and supporters do so out of convenience or fear. If the Taliban's prospects dim many of those people that joined what they thought was the winning side or the side they needed to fear will just as easily join the other side.