John Baron MP questions Prime Minister over Afghanistan at PMQs

MP says American should open talks with the Taliban

Today at PMQs John Baron MP questioned the Prime Minister about the need for a fresh approach on Afghanistan, which must include opening talks with the Taliban to explore common interests.

John said:

“The latest US Department of Defence report to Congress states that the Taliban’s strength lies in the Afghan people’s belief that the Taliban will ultimately be victorious. Is this not time for fresh thinking on Afghanistan which must include getting the Americans to open talks with the Taliban for, as we showed in Northern Ireland, you can talk and fight at the same time?”

The Prime Minister agreed that a negotiated settlement was needed but inferred that expected victories over the Taliban would encourage them to come to the negotiating table.

John said afterwards:

“I continue to doubt that we will achieve an enduring military success against the Taliban – none of the pre-conditions for a successful counter-insurgency campaign exist in Afghanistan.”

“In addition, we must recognise that there are differences between the Taliban and al-Qaeda which are worth exploring. Both the Taliban and the West want foreigners out of Afghanistan. This could form the basis of a negotiated settlement with the Taliban to achieve a peaceful withdrawal from Afghanistan, free of al-Qaeda. But until the Americans start talks, we will not know.”