Afghans Will Decide Which Taliban Leaders Join Talks, U.S. Says

[Ian David]

``If the government of Afghanistan, as they have now publicly expressed the desire to, wishes to step up its reconciliation efforts with the Taliban, that is their prerogative,'' Geoff Morrell said in Washington yesterday. Omar, because of his support for al- Qaeda ``has the blood of thousands of Americans on his hands. We do not reconcile with al-Qaeda.''

A surge in violence in Afghanistan this year prompted the government to consider talking to members of the Taliban. U.S.- led forces ousted the Taliban regime in late 2001 after Omar refused to hand over al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai last month called on Omar, who is believed to be hiding in mountainous areas on the Afghan- Pakistani border, and other Taliban leaders, to return home and work for peace.

``You can't kill them all,'' Morrell said, according to a government transcript. ``You have to figure out a way to embrace those who are willing ultimately to work with the central government, lay down their arms, or at least stop pointing them at the government and at us.''

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http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aIH3iV4RyOgE&refer=us

[NNN0LHI]

1. "You can't kill them all,'' Morrell said

OK just how many Afghans did you kill before you came to that conclusion Mr. Morrell?

Don