Talks with Taliban possible: Gates

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates said on Monday there was “no reason to be defeatist” in Afghanistan, and refused to rule out the idea of negotiation with insurgents willing to reconcile with the Afghan government.

Gates, speaking aboard a plane en route to a visit with European ministers, indicated he will again press NATO allies to send more troops to Afghanistan during an alliance meeting in Budapest on Thursday and Friday.

“We continue to see the need for additional forces in Afghanistan,” Gates said.

“I want to make sure that everybody understands that the increase in US forces are not seen as replacements for NATO contributions, but as reinforcement.” In response to blunt remarks from Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith, Britain’s top commander in Afghanistan, who said in an interview published Sunday that “we’re not going to win this war,” Gates said: “While we face significant challenges in Afghanistan there certainly is no reason to be defeatist or to underestimate the opportunity to be successful in the long run.”

On the question of possible peace negotiations with the Taliban, a move sought by the Afghan government, Gates said he endorsed the idea, calling it a “key long-term solution.”

“What is important is detaching those who are reconcilable and who are willing to be part of the future of the country from those who are irreconcilable,” said Gates.

He added: “Part of the solution is strengthening the Afghan security forces, part of the solution is reconciliation with people who are willing to work with the Afghan.”

Meanwhile, the United States has asked Japan and NATO allies who have refused to send troops to Afghanistan to pay the estimated $17 billion needed to build up the Afghan army, according to US defence officials.