US double standards

IN the face of its backing to Afghanistan for holding talks with the Taliban to put an end to their resistance, the Bush Administration's reservations about Pakistan's efforts to conclude peace deals with tribesmen in Waziristan presents a clear example of US double standards while dealing with the same issue. The observation of American Ambassador at Kabul, William Wood, that there were large segments of the Taliban who were unhappy with the terrorist turn some of their factions' struggle had taken, is equally relevant in the case of tribal areas under Pakistan's jurisdiction. Logically, therefore, the same principle of drawing peaceful citizens to the mainstream of life should apply in the case of Pakistan as well. Interestingly, Mr Wood avoided comments on the reports that Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, who carried a multi-million-dollar US bounty on his head, was already engaged in talks with the govt, which suggested that the US would not mind even if Kabul were to negotiate with someone the US believes to be a terrorist.