Former Taliban Members Renounce Terrorism

[CENTCOM]

We continue our support for the Afghan-led reconciliation talks with former Taliban militants who have renounced acts of indiscriminate terrorism. These former Taliban members have come forth to pledge their allegiance to the Afghan government. They pledge to stop attacking and indiscriminately killing innocent civilians, government officials and members of the security forces. What is important to note in these reconciliation incidents is the reason which these former Taliban members give for their decision to abandon the Taliban. Former Taliban officers who were deceived into thinking they were part of a jihad against “infidels and invaders,” became disillusioned when they were ordered to target their own Muslim brothers and sisters.

Audio: NPR Media Player

Former Taliban Reconcile With Afghan Government : NPR

Another notable fact is that these former Taliban members were not motivated to take part in the reconciliation program due to financial gain. Kandahar’s provincial governor, Tooryalai Wesa, made it clear, “We are not reconciling with people if they are expecting blank checks by the end of the month or by the end of the week. That's not reconciliation". What they are motivated by is the realization that Afghan government and people with the help of the international community is diligently working to rebuild Afghanistan for the Afghans.

Unfortunately there are still some Taliban militants who target civilians, destroy public infrastructure and aim to bring instability in Afghanistan. It is unfortunate that these militants are blind to the truth – the truth that their Afghan brothers and sisters are working hard to bring rule of law, civil society, and social development in Afghanistan. It is heartbreaking to witness the magnitude of effort, time, money and dedication that Afghan citizens put into building and maintaining marketplaces, government buildings, transportation, hospitals and schools, only to see them become targets of terrorism.

Taliban Caught on Tape Burning a School

We hope that more and more Taliban, once brainwashed by the ideology of hatred and intolerance, would realize the truth and renounce terrorism. We realize the importance of these reconciliation talks and General Petraeus has acknowledged this, “Afghan-led reintegration of reconcilable insurgents must also be an important element of the strategy (of winning the war) — and it now is”.

CDR Bill Speaks,
DET- U.S. Central Command
U.S. Central Command

 

[khurasaan1]

The guy in the pic posed as Talibans ..dont even look Afghan....

 

[A.Muqeet khan]

well what does it look like !

 

[CENTCOM]

A member of the Alikozai tribe kisses a Koran presented to him during peace negotiations in Sangin, Afganistan, Jan. 1.

Sangin 110101-F-0804J-004 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Helmand Provincial Gov. Ghulab Mangal symbolically presents a member of the Alikozai tribe a new.

354969 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[American Eagle]

And just what do Afghans look like? The descendants of the army of Alexander the Great people parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. And what do they look like? Like here in the USA people come in all shapes, sizes, colors. There is no one sterotype that I am aware of.