<

Pakistan: Taliban Must Have Role
Tuesday, October 16, 2001
Standard Foreign News Desk

Colin Powell today with President Pervez Musharraf.
Photo Credit: The Associated Press.

“They would like to see this operation terminated as fast as possible and that is what I would urge the coalition -- to achieve the military objectives and terminate the operation.”

US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today agreed that any future Afghan government should include Taliban members. After their meeting in Islamabad, General Musharraf said all opposition elements should be involved.

"Former king Zahir Shah, political leaders, moderate Taliban leaders, elements from the [opposition] Northern Alliance, tribal elders, Afghans living outside their country...all can play a role in this government," General Musharraf said.

Mr Powell recognised that as well as the hardline Taliban, under attack from US forces hunting down Osama bin Laden, there were moderate elements of the Taliban and they would have a role to play in Afghanistan's future.
(More: ThisIsLondon.com News Source)
2001 © Standard Foreign News Desk.

Dan