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Reach out to Taleban, says Browne | Reach out to Taleban, says Browne |
(5 days later) | |
The UK should talk to elements within the Taleban who can be persuaded to change sides, Defence Secretary Des Browne has said in an interview. | The UK should talk to elements within the Taleban who can be persuaded to change sides, Defence Secretary Des Browne has said in an interview. |
Mr Browne said some of those fighting British troops in Afghanistan were driven by "self-interest rather than ideology" and could be won over. | Mr Browne said some of those fighting British troops in Afghanistan were driven by "self-interest rather than ideology" and could be won over. |
He told the Daily Telegraph: "There's no question we should try to reach them. People have been switched." | He told the Daily Telegraph: "There's no question we should try to reach them. People have been switched." |
But he insisted that there was no basis for any negotiations with al-Qaeda. | But he insisted that there was no basis for any negotiations with al-Qaeda. |
'Conflict resolution' | 'Conflict resolution' |
We have to get people who have previously been on the side of the Taleban to come onto the side of the government Des BrowneDefence Secretary | We have to get people who have previously been on the side of the Taleban to come onto the side of the government Des BrowneDefence Secretary |
In December 2007, a British and an Irish diplomat were expelled by the Afghan government following claims that the men had held talks with the Taleban in Helmand province. | In December 2007, a British and an Irish diplomat were expelled by the Afghan government following claims that the men had held talks with the Taleban in Helmand province. |
In the interview, Mr Browne insisted that "the Taleban is a collective noun" and contained different strands, some of whom could be talked into supporting democracy. | In the interview, Mr Browne insisted that "the Taleban is a collective noun" and contained different strands, some of whom could be talked into supporting democracy. |
He added: "We have to get people who have previously been on the side of the Taleban to come onto the side of the government." | He added: "We have to get people who have previously been on the side of the Taleban to come onto the side of the government." |
"What you need to do in conflict resolution is to bring the people who believe that the answer to their political ambitions will be achieved through violence into a frame of mind that they accept that their political ambitions will be delivered by politics. | "What you need to do in conflict resolution is to bring the people who believe that the answer to their political ambitions will be achieved through violence into a frame of mind that they accept that their political ambitions will be delivered by politics. |
The Security Minister, Lord West, and ex-Downing Street chief of staff Jonathan Powell have both said the UK could hold discussions with al-Qaeda. | The Security Minister, Lord West, and ex-Downing Street chief of staff Jonathan Powell have both said the UK could hold discussions with al-Qaeda. |
Mr Browne reiterated the government's position that such talks were out of the question. | Mr Browne reiterated the government's position that such talks were out of the question. |
But he compared the Taleban to the Lebanese paramilitary organisation Hezbollah, saying they contained individuals who were open to persuasion. | But he compared the Taleban to the Lebanese paramilitary organisation Hezbollah, saying they contained individuals who were open to persuasion. |
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