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Key summit to tackle Afghanistan Key summit to tackle Afghanistan
(40 minutes later)
A key summit on the future of Afghanistan is set to start in London with a possible offer of talks to moderate Taliban high on the agenda. A summit on the future of Afghanistan is set to start in London with a possible offer of talks with moderate Taliban members high on the agenda.
Foreign ministers from some 70 countries will gather for the summit, intended to give renewed momentum to nation-building in Afghanistan.Foreign ministers from some 70 countries will gather for the summit, intended to give renewed momentum to nation-building in Afghanistan.
Donor countries are expected to set up a fund to help lure Taliban members back into Afghan society.Donor countries are expected to set up a fund to help lure Taliban members back into Afghan society.
But Western nations will also be asking for more details on the strategy.But Western nations will also be asking for more details on the strategy.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has won general support for his plan to wean low-ranking fighters from the Taliban.Afghan President Hamid Karzai has won general support for his plan to wean low-ranking fighters from the Taliban.
ReconciliationReconciliation
The fund would help reintegrate defecting foot soldiers with the promises of jobs, cash and protection.The fund would help reintegrate defecting foot soldiers with the promises of jobs, cash and protection.
But Mr Karzai has also talked about a political process that could involve the Taliban leadership.But Mr Karzai has also talked about a political process that could involve the Taliban leadership.
Regional countries have supported it, but Nato and the US are sceptical about the benefits of such a move at this point.Regional countries have supported it, but Nato and the US are sceptical about the benefits of such a move at this point.
A Western diplomat at the United Nations in New York told the BBC much would depend on the detail of Mr Karzai's reconciliation and reintegration strategy: how it would be structured, who would lead it, and who it would cover.A Western diplomat at the United Nations in New York told the BBC much would depend on the detail of Mr Karzai's reconciliation and reintegration strategy: how it would be structured, who would lead it, and who it would cover.
What will happen at the conference?What will happen at the conference?
A day before the conference, President Karzai attended a BBC-organised debate with UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to answer questions from Afghan and British students.A day before the conference, President Karzai attended a BBC-organised debate with UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to answer questions from Afghan and British students.
He defended his plan of Taliban talks against criticism that it could undermine freedoms won by the Afghan people.He defended his plan of Taliban talks against criticism that it could undermine freedoms won by the Afghan people.
Both leaders said the offer of talks was open only to those Taliban members who were not wedded to extremism and were prepared to renounce violence.Both leaders said the offer of talks was open only to those Taliban members who were not wedded to extremism and were prepared to renounce violence.
President Karzai also admitted that corruption was a big concern and said he would announce plans for tougher action at the conference.President Karzai also admitted that corruption was a big concern and said he would announce plans for tougher action at the conference.
BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says the timing of the London conference is critical.BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says the timing of the London conference is critical.
New diplomatNew diplomat
According to most military analysts the Taliban is riding high, but the US surge in forces is under way and weeks and months of hard-fighting lie ahead, and the controversial presidential election is out of the way, he says.According to most military analysts the Taliban is riding high, but the US surge in forces is under way and weeks and months of hard-fighting lie ahead, and the controversial presidential election is out of the way, he says.
More work will be done on bolstering Afghanistan's own security forces, as well as setting goals on development and governance and a renewed emphasis on setting Afghanistan's problems in a wider regional frame-work.More work will be done on bolstering Afghanistan's own security forces, as well as setting goals on development and governance and a renewed emphasis on setting Afghanistan's problems in a wider regional frame-work.
A follow-up conference will be held in Kabul in a few months.A follow-up conference will be held in Kabul in a few months.
Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has named a long-serving UN diplomat, Staffan de Mistura, as his new representative to Afghanistan.Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has named a long-serving UN diplomat, Staffan de Mistura, as his new representative to Afghanistan.
Mr de Mistura, who holds Swedish and Italian nationalities, will replace the outgoing head of the UN mission in Kabul, Kai Eide, when he steps down in March.Mr de Mistura, who holds Swedish and Italian nationalities, will replace the outgoing head of the UN mission in Kabul, Kai Eide, when he steps down in March.
Mr Eide was accused by a colleague of being too close to President Karzai and his government, and of downplaying fraud during presidential elections last year. Mr Eide always denied the allegations.Mr Eide was accused by a colleague of being too close to President Karzai and his government, and of downplaying fraud during presidential elections last year. Mr Eide always denied the allegations.