New York: Participation of the Taliban in Afghanistan`s politics is possible if the outfit put down their arms, stop terror activities and accept the country`s Constitution, the UK Envoy to the UN John Sawers has said.
"We would very much welcome it if elements of the Taliban put down their arms stop their insurgency, stop their terrorist activity, and were prepared to participate in Afghan
politics within the framework of the Afghan Constitution," Sawers said.
Sawers was speaking to reporters after the Security Council issued a press statement condemning the suicide bomb attack aimed at the Indian embassy in Kabul, for which the Taliban claimed responsibility.
He said that the involvement of the Taliban as a political entity was a matter that had to be worked out between the Afghan government and the insurgent group.
"I think that the Afghan government has always been open to any group that is prepared to accept the Afghan Constitution, prepared to accept purely political means to take part in Afghan politics. There is not a difficulty there," he said.
US diplomats have also hinted that it could consider working with some members of the Taliban as part of Afghanistan war strategy going forward.
An ongoing debate in Washington regarding troop increase in Afghanistan takes into account de-linking al Qaeda from Taliban.
The US President Barack Obama is reportedly considering shifting focus on the al Qaeda, while re-examining the real threat posed by the Taliban to the US outside of the battle ground of Afghanistan.
As the same time, the Taliban issued statement yesterday, in which they claim to have no intention of harming other countries including Europe.
The statement said that the group is only interested in establishing an independent Islamic system but will continue to fight if foreign entities try to occupy their land.
The authenticity of the statement is still be verified. The US war commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal has asked for up to 40,000 more troops to fight the insurgency, which is feared to be getting stronger.
Bureau Report
