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Talk to Taliban, Miliband urges Talk to Taliban, Miliband urges
(30 minutes later)
David Miliband has called for a change of emphasis in strategy in Afghanistan, urging the country's government to talk to moderate members of the Taliban.David Miliband has called for a change of emphasis in strategy in Afghanistan, urging the country's government to talk to moderate members of the Taliban.
In a speech to Nato, the foreign secretary said a political coalition, including current insurgents, must be built to secure Afghanistan's future.In a speech to Nato, the foreign secretary said a political coalition, including current insurgents, must be built to secure Afghanistan's future.
Those now fighting UK and US troops who were willing to renounce violence should be reintegrated into society.Those now fighting UK and US troops who were willing to renounce violence should be reintegrated into society.
He also urged other Nato members to contribute more to the military effort.He also urged other Nato members to contribute more to the military effort.
July has been the deadliest month for the UK and Nato since operations began.July has been the deadliest month for the UK and Nato since operations began.
'Significant gains''Significant gains'
Mr Miliband said the fight against the Taliban in the south of the country had caused a "heavy toll" in British deaths.Mr Miliband said the fight against the Taliban in the south of the country had caused a "heavy toll" in British deaths.
However, he said Operation Panther's Claw had made "significant gains" in taking and securing land ahead of this month's presidential elections.However, he said Operation Panther's Claw had made "significant gains" in taking and securing land ahead of this month's presidential elections.
Mr Miliband said the objectives of the UK's mission was clear but that the public "wanted to know whether and how we can succeed" in Afghanistan. Mr Miliband said the objectives of the UK's mission were clear but accepted the public "wanted to know whether and how we can succeed" in Afghanistan.
He said a viable political solution, alongside the military offensive, was essential to securing Afghanistan's future.He said a viable political solution, alongside the military offensive, was essential to securing Afghanistan's future.
As part of this, Mr Miliband said current insurgents should be re-integrated into society and, in some cases, given a role in local and central government. As part of this, Mr Miliband said current insurgents should be reintegrated into society and, in some cases, given a role in local and central government.
He made a distinction between "hardline ideologues" and Jihaddists within the Taliban and other groups who must be fought and defeated from those who could be "drawn into a political process". FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/default.stm">More from Today programme
He made a distinction between "hard-line ideologues" and Jihaddists within the Taliban and other groups who must be fought and defeated from those who could be "drawn into a political process".
Those who had either been coerced or bribed into joining the insurgency could be engaged with if they disowned violence and respected the Afghan constitution, he said.Those who had either been coerced or bribed into joining the insurgency could be engaged with if they disowned violence and respected the Afghan constitution, he said.
"These Afghans must have the option to choose a different course," he said. "These Afghans must have the option to choose a different course."
He added: "That means in the long term an inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan - separating those who want Islamic rule locally from those committed to violent jihad globally - and gives them a sufficient role in local politics that they leave the path of confrontation with the government."
The BBC's diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall said the UK was clear the responsibility was on the Afghan government to show commitment to this process.
Public awarenessPublic awareness
Earlier, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander compared the move to the talks which brought an end to the conflict in Northern Ireland. Earlier, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander compared the move to the talks that brought an end to the conflict in Northern Ireland.
Mr Alexander, who is in Afghanistan, conceded that it was a "challenging" message for politicians to suggest when British troops were being killed in action.Mr Alexander, who is in Afghanistan, conceded that it was a "challenging" message for politicians to suggest when British troops were being killed in action.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he had "confidence in the good judgment of the British people".He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he had "confidence in the good judgment of the British people".
Mr Alexander added: "I think people recognise from the experience of places like Northern Ireland that it is necessary to put military pressure on the Taliban while at the same time holding out the prospect that there can be a political process that can follow."Mr Alexander added: "I think people recognise from the experience of places like Northern Ireland that it is necessary to put military pressure on the Taliban while at the same time holding out the prospect that there can be a political process that can follow."
On Sunday, the UK pledged £225m in aid to the Afghan government, to try to undermine the heroin trade.On Sunday, the UK pledged £225m in aid to the Afghan government, to try to undermine the heroin trade.
Announcing the package in Kabul, Mr Alexander said the UK was committed to securing a "stable and democratic future for the people of Afghanistan".Announcing the package in Kabul, Mr Alexander said the UK was committed to securing a "stable and democratic future for the people of Afghanistan".
He added that the military operation against the insurgency was "only part of the solution".He added that the military operation against the insurgency was "only part of the solution".
Wave of attacksWave of attacks
Mr Alexander is now visiting Helmand province, where UK soldiers have been engaged in Operation Panther's Claw to capture and hold land previously in Taliban hands.Mr Alexander is now visiting Helmand province, where UK soldiers have been engaged in Operation Panther's Claw to capture and hold land previously in Taliban hands.
The operation has led to the deaths of 20 British soldiers in the past four weeks.The operation has led to the deaths of 20 British soldiers in the past four weeks.
US troops have also seen a rise in casualties, while parts of Afghanistan that have been mostly peaceful have seen an upsurge in violence.US troops have also seen a rise in casualties, while parts of Afghanistan that have been mostly peaceful have seen an upsurge in violence.
Other Nato forces such as German troops - mainly engaged in training and reconstruction - have been drawn into offensive action.Other Nato forces such as German troops - mainly engaged in training and reconstruction - have been drawn into offensive action.
But Mr Miliband has called for other countries to do more, saying the policy of burden-sharing must work in "practice" not just in theory.But Mr Miliband has called for other countries to do more, saying the policy of burden-sharing must work in "practice" not just in theory.
A wave of Taliban attacks over the weekend left 22 dead, including insurgents, a foreign soldier and two Afghan soldiers, authorities said.A wave of Taliban attacks over the weekend left 22 dead, including insurgents, a foreign soldier and two Afghan soldiers, authorities said.
The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said a Nato soldier "died of wounds suffered in a hostile incident" on Saturday, but did not confirm his nationality. The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force said a Nato soldier "died of wounds suffered in a hostile incident" on Saturday, but did not confirm his nationality.
Meanwhile a roadside bomb in the Herat province wounded four Italian soldiers.
There are about 90,000 foreign soldiers currently deployed in Afghanistan.There are about 90,000 foreign soldiers currently deployed in Afghanistan.
Large numbers are being moved to the troubled south of the country ahead of the elections on 20 August.Large numbers are being moved to the troubled south of the country ahead of the elections on 20 August.
So far in July, 67 international troops have been killed, bringing the total number of coalition deaths in 2009 to 223.So far in July, 67 international troops have been killed, bringing the total number of coalition deaths in 2009 to 223.