MP argues for non-conditional talks with the Taliban
John Baron MP has berated the UK and US governments over their handling of the Afghan cri sis and warns that they risk utterly failing our soldiers following the breakdown of talks with the Taliban. John is a member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. He opposed our involvement in Afghanistan, has been critical of policy ever since, and was the only Conservative to vote against Government policy in the first ever vote on Afghanistan in 2010. His views are highlighted in http://conservativehome.blogs.com/platform/2012/03/john-baron-mp-the-politicians-risk-failing-our-soldiers-in-afghanistan.html.
John said:
“No-one can criticise our troops. As an ex-soldier, I know they have done everything we have asked of them. Instead, criticism should be levied against the US and UK governments. They have not only confused the mission and the enemy, but now risk failing our troops by not pursuing non-conditional talks with the Taliban.”
“There are fundamental differences between the Taliban and Al Qaeda. There is no guarantee the Taliban would allow Al Qaeda to return once Western forces depart. This possible common ground needs to be more thoroughly explored. We can remain true to our original mission whilst allowing the Taliban to remain in control of certain regions. But if we do not talk, we will not know.”
“The American position to date is that they will not talk to the Taliban unless it accepts the Afghan constitution and lays down its arms. This will not happen in a month of Sundays. The Americans need to recognise this and not, therefore, set preconditions for talks. They must learn from our experience in Northern Ireland that it is possible to talk and fight at the same time.”
“By not holding non-conditional talks, the politicians are failing the soldiers. By not talking, we risk a disorderly handover. We risk squandering the very high cost in blood and treasure. The defining moment is now. Soldiers can only buy time; the politicians must now step up to the plate.”
Ends
Word Count: 340
Date: 19th March 2012
Notes to Editors
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