US backs UK’s plan of negotiated deal with good Taliban

The US is learnt to have supported the UK’s idea of having a negotiated settlement with the moderate Taliban and once again give them the reins of Afghan government after they lay down arms, British high commissioner in Islamabad Robert Edward Brinkley said last evening.

Islamabad, Oct 11 : The US is learnt to have supported the UK’s idea of having a negotiated settlement with the moderate Taliban and once again give them the reins of Afghan government after they lay down arms, British high commissioner in Islamabad Robert Edward Brinkley said last evening.

Both the US and the UK are following a multi-pronged policy for bringing sustainable peace to Afghanistan.

Brinkley said that there were good Taliban and bad Taliban present in Afghanistan. "We are prepared to talk to good Taliban, who renounce violence and lay down their arms," The News quoted him as saying.

He also said that they would have to fight against the Taliban who would not give up arms. "In that case, the fight would continue," he said.

The high commissioner said that military method was no solution to a situation like Afghanistan and it had to be addressed politically too while, on the other end, socio-economic development must be brought about so that the confidence of the people might improve and atmosphere might become conducive for a peaceful settlement.

Brinkley was also of the opinion that the negotiations were ultimate solution to the ongoing war in Afghanistan. "It will be in the interest of Afghanistan and Taliban both," he added.

ANI