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Clinton to Taliban: Dump al-Qaida or 'Face Consequences'

Durrak

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NEW YORK, February 18, 2011 - In a major policy speech on Afghanistan today, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton outlined a "clear choice" for the Taliban: reject al-Qaida and terrorism or "face the consequences."
"They cannot wait us out. They cannot defeat us. And they cannot escape this choice," she told a packed auditorium at Asia Society New York headquarters.
America’s top diplomat delivered her comprehensive and resolute warning in a speech that honored former Asia Society Chairman Richard C. Holbrooke, who passed away in December while serving as the Obama Administration’s Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan. At the time, he had been working hard to broker a solution for the war-torn region.

She warmly paid tribute to his peace-making legacy, saying he had been "an architect of our integrated military-civilian-diplomatic strategy.
"And, we feel his loss so keenly. But Richard left us a solid foundation."
She said: "Our friend Richard Holbrooke believed a better future is possible for Afghanistan, for Pakistan, and the wider region. He once observed, and I quote, 'In every war of this sort, there is always a window for people who want to come in from the cold ... If they are willing to accept the red lines and come in ... there has to be a place for them.' Those were his words. And, that is the policy of the United States."
Clinton also announced the appointment of Holbrooke's successor, Marc Grossman, a former career diplomat who has served in Pakistan and Turkey and one-time Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs.

Clinton was blunt in her assessment of the Taliban’s future and the challenge they face from the United States and its allies.

"In 2001, after 9/11, the Taliban chose to defy the international community and protect al-Qaida," Clinton said.

"That was the wrong choice, and they have paid a heavy price. Today, the escalating pressure of our military campaign is sharpening a similar decision for the Taliban: break ties with al-Qaida, give up your arms, and abide by the Afghan constitution and you can rejoin Afghan society.

"Refuse and you will continue to face the consequences of being tied to al-Qaida as an enemy of the international community."
Clinton pointed to US plans reduce troop numbers from July through to the end of 2014 so that Afghans can assume security operations their war-torn country. She said a surge in US-led NATO troops over the past year has been part of a strategy to "split the weakened Taliban off from al-Qaida and reconcile those who will renounce violence and accept the Afghan constitution."

She also stressed the need for political reconciliation, arguing that many individuals would leave Taliban ranks if offered ways to improve their lives.

"I know there are some on Capitol Hill and elsewhere who question whether we need anything more than guns, bombs and troops to achieve our goals in Afghanistan," Clinton said.

"As our commanders on the ground will be the first to say, that is a short-sighted and ultimately self-defeating view. We will never kill enough insurgents to end this war outright."

She said some gains were being accomplished a "at the village level" and that “the momentum of the Taliban insurgents has been blunted and in some places even reversed."

She called on the other major player in the conflict, neighboring Pakistan, to help even though it was "no secret that we have not always seen eye-to-eye."

"Pressure from the Pakistani side will help push the Taliban towards the negotiating table and away from al-Qaida," Clinton said.

Clinton also said corruption remained a major issue in Afghanistan and that there have been tensions with the government of President Hamid Karzai. "I will not sugarcoat the fact that the Afghan government has, at times, disagreed with our policies."
"Pakistanis are tired of terror and turmoil," she said. "Afghans have suffered through three decades of war. But the leaders of both nations, in and out of government, have not done enough to chart a different course."
She also suggested that women and ethnic groups in Afghanistan play strong roles in the reconciliation process.
"We believe the potential for sustainable peace will be subverted if women are silenced or marginalized," she said. "Afghan women made significant contributions to the Peace Jirga, they must continue to be a part of the High Peace Council, and they have an important role to play at the provincial and local levels if genuine reconciliation is going to take root."
 
It will kill some civilians to but it wont matter to US they have been doint it from ever

The taliban have made hell of the lives of those poor civilians anyways. They are parasites who feed on hapless people. They should be nuked. All of them.
 
What "consequences" will the taliban face?.......after nearly a decade is this the best threat the american can offer.

Don't underestimate America. The world is yet to see the decisive American military action.

These taliban who thump their chest with this supposed victory have no idea how Uncle Sam can whoop their a$$e$ with thousands of thousand tons bombs.

These talibs have survived just because they are mixed with innocent civilians. The day Uncle Sam runs out of patience, their luck will run out.
 
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton outlined a "clear choice" for the Taliban: reject al-Qaida and terrorism or "face the consequences."

Shhhh.
If you listen carefully, you can hear the sound of frustration and impotent flailing after ten years of a failed strategy.

Don't underestimate America. The world is yet to see the decisive American military action.

These taliban who thump their chest with this supposed victory have no idea how Uncle Sam can whoop their a$$e$ with thousands of thousand tons bombs.

These talibs have survived just because they are mixed with innocent civilians. The day Uncle Sam runs out of patience, their luck will run out.

And, like, my daddy is gonna beat 'em up real good and, like, you'll see how strong he is and, like. So there... :angry:
 
USA is ready to abandon the Afghan govt?
"As long as the Taliban left the al-Qaeda, we will leave Afghanistan." --- Is that the USA mean?
 
NEW YORK, February 18, 2011 - In a major policy speech on Afghanistan today, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton outlined a "clear choice" for the Taliban: reject al-Qaida and terrorism or "face the consequences."
"They cannot wait us out. They cannot defeat us. And they cannot escape this choice," she told a packed auditorium at Asia Society New York headquarters."

lolz...................................... After a decade of failed policies and strategies now they are like Hey u cant defeat us we have made our soldier ready to die for nothing .

Mrs.Clinton is forgetting talibans have not attacked US of A but its reverse .She should have said USA with all it mighty power cannot defeat talibans even after 10 years and spending millions of dollars with state of the art equipment and the technology and weapon the world never knew exsisted but they are still failing .
 
This speech is nothing more then laying the ground for withdrawal, I would not be surprised if this speech, and many others to come were already inked out when Obama anounced the withdrawal. This is just part of a set sequence of events to take place before the US withdrawal/retreat in order to save face. As usual, the Taliban will ignore this as nothing more then diahorrea coming out from the US.

With the amount of civilians killed I would not be surprised at the Taliban support. Those Indians who have been talking about nuking them and to accept civilian casualties, I wonder if that would be their reaction if it were their family members lay dead in front of them in pieces. Helpless, innocent and hopeless civilians, who have suffered 30 years of war have rightfully given up on their kinsmen to brign peace or attempt it themselves, they are still innocent, and have the right to live and deserve to stay alive......you and I are no judge to make that decision......
 
I think the USA govt has recognized to lost the war. They are ready to abandon their allies --- Afghan govt.

The Taliban really will leave Al Qaeda? I think that USA do not care about true or false. Because they can not afford to validate it.
Now USA just want a decent leaving. Whether that true or false.
 
how do you distinguish between al qaeda and taliban?

how do you recognise al qaeda period?
 
USA govt had never really understood Afghan war.
With only bullet, it is impossible to eliminate the Taliban. Only enough food and job for the Afghanistan people, it can destroy the Taliban.
What is the Taliban? the Afghanistan people who can not find the hope of happy life, it is the Taliban. If you do not give them hope, the Taliban can never be eliminated.
Only know how to destroy and do not know the construction, USA govt can not win this war.
 
I agree with everyone that it's over. This is just like how Vietnam ended. They are setting up the ground work for a dignified retreat. Once the Americans pull out, the Karzai government won't last one year. This war was for nothing, just like Vietnam.
 

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