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UK Wants to Talk to Taliban

Brown to announce major revision of Afghan strategy, rankling Washington

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 12, 2007 8:13 AM CST
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(Newser) – Just back from Kabul, Gordon Brown is poised to announce a major strategic revision in Afghanistan that will involve dialogue with the Taliban. Senior British officials believe that treating the loose-knit organization as a unified terrorist actor is counterproductive, the Independent reports, and they want to move from fighting militants to talking to them. But the new strategy might cause tension between the UK and Washington hawks.

Brown will tell the British parliament today that Hamid Karzai will introduce Afghan troops into towns retaken by British forces and will reinforce stability there via political agreements with tribal leaders, some of whom have previously aligned with the Taliban. The Bush administration might disagree with the new policy, but one source in Brown's office said the White House has "been talked through all of this."

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown jokes with troops at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan Monday Dec. 10, 2007. Brown Monday met British troops in Afghanistan as battle raged for control of the Taliban stronghold of Musa Qala just 70 miles away. (AP Photo/Stefan Rousseau, Pool)
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown jokes with troops at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan Monday Dec. 10, 2007. Brown Monday met British troops in Afghanistan as battle raged for control of the Taliban stronghold...   (Associated Press)
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, center, and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, left, inspect the guard of honor at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. Brown traveled to the main British military base in southern Afghanistan on Monday to boost the spirits of troops serving on the...
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, center, and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, left, inspect the guard of honor at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. Brown traveled...   (Associated Press)
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown,center, and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, left, inspect the guard of honor at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Dec 10, 2007. Brown traveled to the main British military base in southern Afghanistan on Monday to boost the spirits of troops serving on the...
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown,center, and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, left, inspect the guard of honor at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Dec 10, 2007. Brown traveled to...   (Associated Press)
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown is reflected in a memorial to soldiers who have lost their lives in Helmand Province, after meeting British soldiers at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, Monday Dec. 10, 2007. Brown met the troops as battle raged for control of the Taliban stronghold of Musa Qala just...
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown is reflected in a memorial to soldiers who have lost their lives in Helmand Province, after meeting British soldiers at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, Monday Dec. 10,...   (Associated Press)
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Afghanistan • Bush administration • Taliban • London • White House • Gordon Brown • Hamid Karzai • Kabul • terrorist • British military

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