KABUL (AP) — Afghan President Hamid Karzai says he's willing to talk peace with the head of the Taliban, as long as he has the backing of his international partners.
Karzai spoke to The Associated Press in his first interview since President Barack Obama announced his new strategy for Afghanistan on Tuesday.
Karzai says "the fight against terrorism and extremism cannot be won by fighting alone." He says it's time to offer peace to Taliban members and end the insurgency.
But he says his effort must have the full backing of the United States and its partners.
Karzai has previously offered to talk with Taliban leader Mullah Omar. The Bush administration opposed the idea, but Obama has said the U.S. must "open the door" to Taliban members who abandon violence.
The U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, says reconciliation talks that had been "on the back burner" are now "moving to the front burner."
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<<APPHOTO AMX103 (12/03/09)>>
: Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai speaks to The Associated Press at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009. Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Thursday that he's willing to talk with the Taliban chief in a bid to bring peace to the country if the move would have the backing of the United States and other international partners.
