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UK-Taliban Secret Talks Come to Light

Despite denials, British intelligence organized series of 'jirgas'

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 26, 2007 2:45 PM CST
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(Newser) – British intelligence agents held a series of secret talks with leading members of the Taliban this summer, reports the Telegraph. At jirgas in Afghanistan, the country's secret service attempted peace negotiations and offered "mentoring." Details of the meetings—as many as a half dozen—emerged just as Afghan officials ordered two European officials working for the EU and the UN deported for alleged meetings with the Taliban

Gordon Brown was expected to acknowledge the talks and announce a shift in strategy in an appearance at the House of Commons 2 weeks ago. Instead the PM denied reports, telling MPs, "We will not enter into any negotiations with these people." It's thought that Washington was extremely upset with its ally's plan to negotiate with a group it considers a terrorist organization.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, flanked by Foreign Minister David Miliband, right, and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, makes a statement to the House of Commons regarding Government plans to split the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan, in this image made from television in London, Wednesday Dec. 12, 2007. Brown said that...
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, flanked by Foreign Minister David Miliband, right, and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, makes a statement to the House of Commons regarding Government plans to split the...   (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)
Taliban militants sit on a vehicle as they pass a bazaar in the Musa Qala district of Helmand province, south of Kabul, Afghanistan Nov. 20, 2007. Taliban militants have held Musa Qala since February, but NATO and Afghan troops have stepped up operations there in recent weeks and appear poised...
Taliban militants sit on a vehicle as they pass a bazaar in the Musa Qala district of Helmand province, south of Kabul, Afghanistan Nov. 20, 2007. Taliban militants have held Musa Qala since February,...   (Associated Press)
A British soldier talks to Afghan boys during a patrol in Musa Qala in Afghanistan, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. A week ago the Taliban controlled this southern town and the dozens of heroin-processing labs here. Today, hundreds of Afghan and British troops patrol the streets as engineers build new military...
A British soldier talks to Afghan boys during a patrol in Musa Qala in Afghanistan, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. A week ago the Taliban controlled this southern town and the dozens of heroin-processing labs...   (Associated Press)
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Brown's earlier denial of negotiations
Guardian (UK)

 
Afghanistan • Taliban • Gordon Brown • terrorist • MI6

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