Taliban Truce in District of Afghanistan Sets Off Debate

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/02/world/asia/02afghan.html?em&ex=1165208400&en=b6203b7f55654c56&ei=5087%0A

KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 29 — After a series of bruising battles between British troops and Taliban fighters, the Afghan government struck a peace deal with tribal elders in Helmand Province, arranging for a cease-fire and the withdrawal of both sides from one southern district. A month later, the ripples are still being felt in the capital and beyond.

The accord, reached with virtually no public consultation and mediated by the local governor, has brought some welcome peace for residents of the district, Musa Qala, and a reprieve for British troops, who had been under siege by the Taliban in a compound there for three months.

But it has sharply divided former government officials, legislators and ordinary Afghans.

Some say the agreement points the way forward in bringing peace to war-torn parts of the country. Others warn that it sets a dangerous precedent and represents a capitulation to the Taliban and a potential reversal of five years of American policy to build a strong central government. They say the accord gives up too much power to local leaders, who initiated it and are helping to enforce it.

[HappyWeasel]

1. Well...this is a bad precedent but under exceptions ...

it could make to work. The Taliban will have to allow us to hun Bin Laden (if he still is in Afghanistan) and must allow and fund the evacuation of anyone who is oppressed by their regime.