Abandon Al Qaeda, Clinton tells Taliban

KABUL to cut their ties to the Al Qaeda network and join a peaceful political process.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Monday: “In Afghanistan, we will continue taking the fight to Al Qaeda and their Taliban allies, while working to support the Afghan people as they build a stronger government.”

Backing an Afghan-led political process that seeks to isolate the insurgents, the US was implementing its strategy for the security transition approved by NATO at its summit in Lisbon, she said.

“Our message to the Taliban remains the same, but today it may have even greater resonance: You cannot wait us out. You cannot defeat us. But you can make the choice to abandon Al Qaeda and participate in a peaceful political process,” the secretary added. 

In a statement on Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden’s death, Clinton said the US was committed to supporting the Pakistani people and government as they defended their democracy from violent extremism. 

She reiterated President Obama’s remarks that Osama had also declared war on Pakistan and children,” the statement said.

“In recent years, the cooperation between our governments, militaries and law-enforcement agencies increased pressure on Al Qaeda and the Taliban, and this progress must continue and we are committed to our partnership.’

pr/mud 

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