Berlin reaffirms support for Afghan reconciliation process
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Berlin, Oct 29, IRNA -- German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle here on Friday reiterated support for efforts by the Afghan government to press ahead with the Taliban reconciliation process.
Speaking to media representatives at the foreign ministry following his meeting with his Afghan counterpart Zalmay Rassoul, Westerwelle voiced 'support for the inner-(Afghan) reconciliation' process.
He reaffirmed the need for a political settlement of the Afghan war, saying a military solution by itself would not pacify the country.
The German government on Tuesday signed an agreement pledging 10 million euros annually to buy off the Taliban as part of a western plan to 'reintegrate” the radical militia.
Westerwelle stressed earlier that reintegrating former Taliban rebels was key to ensuring long-term peace and stability in the war-stricken country.
'The success of the Afghan government's attempts at reconciliation is key to the common goal of handing responsibility for security to the Afghans by the year 2014,' Westerwelle was quoted as saying.
The peace plan hopes to convince up to 36,000 insurgents to set aside their weapons.
Critics of the western plan argue that the Taliban have no real reason to join the 'reintegration' program as they have been quite successful militarily in Afghanistan in recent years.
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