Obama seeks fresh talks with Taliban

US President Barrack Obama paid a surprise visit to Afghanistan, seeking fresh talks with Taliban insurgents to bring peace in the region.

While addressing the first anniversary of the killing of Al-Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden, Obama laid a path of peace before the Taliban fighters, saying they could be part of the future setup if they break with Al-Qaeda.

The US President observed, “In coordination with the Afghan government my administration has been in direct discussions with the Taliban. We made it clear they can be a part of the future if they break with Al-Qaeda and abide by Afghan laws. Many members have indicated an interest in reconciliation”.

He was of the opinion that the path to peace was now set before the Taliban and those who refuse to walk it will face tough consequences from the Afghan security forces backed by the American troops.

In his view, the objective of defeating the Al-Qaeda network was not far away, more than a decade after the September 11 attacks. “The goal that I set to defeat Al-Qaeda and deny it a chance to rebuild is now within our reach,” he added.

Barrack Obama said a time of war was ending in a moment of the US renewal, on a secret trip to Afghanistan a year after ordering the killing f Osama bin Laden, the Al-Qaeda chief.

The US president in a highly political election-year address showcased his record as a commander-in-chief who ended two long wars, conjuring up a new dawn for a nation exhausted by conflicts and disputes.

He commented, “This time of war began in Afghanistan, and this is where it will end. Yet here, in the pre-dawn darkness of Afghanistan, we can see the light of a new day on the horizon”.

Amid secrecy and tight security, the American president landed in Kabul to sign a deal with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, fixing 10 years of the US aid for the region following the withdrawal allied forces.

He noted that neither the US citizens nor the Afghan people asked for this war, yet for a decade both nations had stood together.

Apparently, it was an indication to US foes that despite ending the longest war in US history, Washington intends to ensure Afghanistan does not revert to a haven for terror groups like Al-Qaeda.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on May 2 2012. Filed under Latest News, USA, World. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.