MP says the differences between the Taliban and Al Qaeda need exploring
Yesterday afternoon, during Foreign Office Questions in the House of Commons, John Baron MP pressed the Foreign Secretary, The Rt. Hon. William Hague MP, as to the importance of getting the Americans to open talks with the Taliban.
John said:
“Given the Taliban will not be beaten, once again I urge the Foreign Secretary to press the US to open meaningful non-conditional talks with the Taliban – for as we showed in Northern Ireland, you can talk and fight at the same time.”
The Foreign Secretary replied that the Americans have called for a political surge alongside the military surge. He also highlighted the huge expansion and intensive training of the Afghan national security forces.
John said afterwards:
“The American call for a political surge refers to the Afghan government and other local leaders. But the Americans themselves need to accept that their policy of not talking with the Taliban until the Taliban has accepted the constitution and laid down their arms is unsustainable.”
“The relationship between the Taliban and Al Qaeda is complex and not well understood. It is possible the Taliban would not let Al Qaeda back into Afghanistan, but their differences need exploring. Instead, the threats from Al Qaeda and the Taliban have become conflated.”
“Soldiers only buy time. The US politicians must now step up to the plate.”
Notes to Editors
John’s exchange with the Foreign Secretary is available at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110614/debtext/110614-0001.htm#11061453000621
John Baron will not post replies to any comments - to contact John please Click here or alternatively for a full list of contact details Click here