80 Taliban lay down weapons

Published: 21/11/2009 at 10:46 PM
Online news: Breakingnews

Eighty Taliban militants have laid down their weapons and joined Afghanistan's police force, accepting a government amnesty aimed at ending a vicious insurgency, police said on Saturday.

In a ceremony at police headquarters in the eastern city of Herat, the 80 men handed over their weapons on Saturday and pledged to end their fight against the government, said Herat police chief Asmatullah Alizai.

"Negotiations have been going on with their commander Solaiman as we have been trying to absorb him into the government,'' he said, referring to Mula Solaiman, a former border guard commander who changed sides a number of times.

The decision by the 80 insurgents comes after President Hamid Karzai again offered an olive branch to Taliban fighters to reintegrate into Afghan society.

In a speech marking his inauguration Thursday for a second five-year term, Karzai pledged to call a "loya jirga", or inclusive national conference of political, tribal and religious leaders, to work towards peace.

The Taliban insurgency has intensified since the Islamist regime was pushed from power in a US-led invasion in late 2001, with more than 100,000 foreign troops fighting the militants under US and NATO command.

So far 8,340 Taliban have accepted the amnesty since Karzai established the Independent Reconciliation Council in 2005, a council official said.

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Terry

Discussion 5 : 22/11/2009 at 02:01 PM5
Andrew, right on,mate.When will these fools, including the US forces, ever learn. The main purpose of the muslim jihadis movement is to install Sharyah laws, according to the Koran.That is, no infidels. Death to all Infidels.The verses from the Koran has never been changed and can never be altered, Unlike other holy books.

The sooner the idiotic western leaders realises this the less of their youngmen will die needlessly.Not mentioning that most will come from poor families.The children of their Elites will be safe. Same story in all wars.

And the shareholders of the multinationals making and developing arms will be richer and richer.

The US obviously have not learn their lessons from Vietnam.A poor country which made them run with their tails between their legs.

The only nation that can help negotiate peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan is Iran. All the Elites from these countries come from the Persian lineage.

Only the US politicians pretend not to know this!!
Jim in Auburn

Discussion 4 : 22/11/2009 at 01:55 PM4
One man's integration is another man's infiltration.
Andrew Pokey

Discussion 3 : 22/11/2009 at 12:00 PM3
i think they're just looking for a way to disrupt democracy from the inside. And they found it.
jock

Discussion 2 : 22/11/2009 at 11:40 AM2
I understand Pointman's cynisism, however apart from occupation and suppression of a Country the only way forward is through integration and if this is the beginning of it, then hopefully it is the beginning of the end of security being provided by the Allied Forces. Take NortherK68DVn Ireland as an example.
Pointman

Discussion 1 : 22/11/2009 at 08:26 AM1
"The Taliban laid down their weapons and joined the other side." Is their objective the same? Of course it is. This is basically, the same reason I don't like a high paid, untrained, volunteer military. You can't buy a REAL soldier. Wait until the Taliban shot a few Afghan Police, then you'll see my point.

80 Taliban lay down weapons