London conference on Afghanistan
London conference on Afghanistan
In London leaders from more than 60 nations are holding conference from Thursday get over the violence and bring peace ,to quell Afghanistan Taliban-led violence in recent months to bring peace.India's presence with high-level delegation led by External affairs minister Mr. S. M. Krishna. Eminent leaders participating in the conference to be chaired by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and UN Secretary General Ban-ki- Moon, to seek way to bring stability in Afghanistan by reconciliation program with Taliban-led groups and gradual transition of security responsibility to Afghan forces.
Mr. Karzai has said he will unveil a program to attract militants for joining the mainstream if they renounce violence and accept Afghan constitution. Taliban has dismissed the conference, saying it will produce no more results than previous gatherings adding they are not fighting for money, property and position.
Western nations including US and Britain have promised to fund the program, while some other nations are expected to announce for sending additional forces.US-led NATO countries are stressing for a timetable to hand over security to Afghan forces starting from this year and begin withdrawal of their forces from the war-torn country.
US President Barack Obama has already announced for withdrawal of troops from July next year while committing for 30 thousand extra troops.The conference, to be followed by another such conference at Kabul after few months, will also renew international commitment for reconstruction and development of Afghanistan. Some nations have advocated greater role for India in reconstruction of Afghanistan citing its success so far but Pakistan is opposed to allowing India giving greater influence in the war-torn country.Taliban are warning that a meeting in London on Thursday will do nothing to help Afghanistan.A statement posted on a Taliban Web site Wednesday dismissed the one-day international donor conference as a "waste of time." Reports VOA Asia.
During Afghanistan summit in London, President Hamid Karzai vowed to reach out to "disenchanted brothers". UN official told news agencies that UN special envoy Kai Eide had met Taliban members in Dubai but the date remains mystery. The one-day conference in London saw world leaders pledge $140m (£87m) to win over low-level Taliban fighters.
Delegates also said that Afghan forces could take control of security in some provinces by the end of 2010 and that the process could be complete in five years.
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