John Baron MP questions Minister over Taliban jail break

26th April 2011
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MP says West must negotiate with the Taliban

 

Following the escape of nearly 500 Taliban fighters from a Kandahar prison in Afghanistan, a Foreign Office Minister made a Statement to the House as to the latest situation.

John said:

“This jail break will come as a severe blow to our troops in the country, just as the fighting season is about to begin. But the handover of security operations to Afghan forces is an integral part of our exit strategy, and yet these Afghan forces are not capable of guarding the Taliban once captured let alone taking them on in the field. What early lessons can the Government draw when it comes to our exit strategy.”

The Minister agreed that this was a severe blow and that it had ramifications regarding the handover of the security situation to the Afghan army and police. But he did not go any further than this.

John said afterwards:

“The Afghan forces will not be capable of taking on the Taliban when the time comes for us to leave. The UK and the US should be exploring the fundamental differences between the Taliban and Al Qaeda and opening non-conditional and meaningful talks with the Taliban – many of whom are opposed to Al Qaeda.”

“It can be argued that the one thing the Taliban and the West have in common is that we both want foreigners out of Afghanistan. This common interest should be explored further in talks, so the UK must redouble its efforts to get the US at the negotiating table. As we showed in Northern Ireland, you can fight and talk at the same time.”

Last year, John was the only Conservative MP to vote against our continued policy in Afghanistan after the Debate in September – this being the first vote on the issue.

John was a Platoon Commander in South Armagh, Northern Ireland. 

Last year, John was the only Conservative MP to vote against our continued policy in Afghanistan after the Debate in September – this being the first vote on the issue.

 

John was a Platoon Commander in South Armagh, Northern Ireland.

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