Holbrooke says US to back Taliban reintegration

[pinoybaptist]

source

By GREGORY KATZ, Associated Press Writer Gregory Katz, Associated Press Writer – 6 mins ago
LONDON – The United States government will support a plan to reintegrate Taliban fighters set to be announced by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, special representative Richard Holbrooke said Wednesday.
The veteran U.S. negotiator said Karzai will outline an ambitious plan Thursday to convince low-level and midlevel Taliban fighters who don't back al-Qaida to give up their fight against U.S. and NATO forces.
The plan will be a centerpiece of a one-day London conference designed to boost the flagging war effort in Afghanistan, where U.S. and NATO forces have been taking increasing casualties from a resurgent Taliban. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in London Wednesday for the talks.

Personally, I don't care if 98% don't like the Al-Qaida and OBL.
What I'm worried about is that these people have once tasted power, been corrupted by it, fought and died to regain that power back by force, and there is no guarantee except their word (which is at best, doubtful, and at worst, non-existent) that they will reintegrate with peaceful, democratic, and civilized intent.
These are not political ideologues, these are theological ideologues and ideology is not just skin deep.
Ten, twenty years down the road, who can guarantee they won't grab power back.
If that happens, what, more American blood to be spilled for nothing ?
Oh, no, not my grandchildren.
I'll handcuff them and lock them in their rooms.
But, that's just me, a bored ape.

What do you wise massas think ?

 

[Johnv]

I think Afghan President Hamid Karzai is a shrewd man and knows what he is doing. It's his country, and with all respect to the hard-won military aid we've given Afghanistan, Karzai knows his country better than we do.

 

[pinoybaptist]

I think Afghan President Hamid Karzai is a shrewd man and knows what he is doing. It's his country, and with all respect to the hard-won military aid we've given Afghanistan, Karzai knows his country better than we do.

Well, I guess you're right. Karzai is shrewd, but he can't be in power forever, either.
And ideologues have all the time in the world to wait.