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White House doubts on reported US-Taliban touch

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-29 09:11

WASHINGTON -- The United States recognizes the need to talk with Taliban, but doubts the armed Islamic group would renounce violence, said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino on Tuesday.

"We remain skeptical that there are some Taliban that would actually renounce violence, and renounce extremism, and work for the greater good of Afghanistan," Perino told reporters at a regular press conference, referring to a reported touch between the United States and the group that once ruled Afghanistan for years.

The report published on the Wall Street Journal Tuesday said the United States is actively considering talks with elements of Taliban in Afghanistan, in a major policy shift that would have been unthinkable a few months ago.

"So we'll let the Afghanis come forward with their ideas, we have our strategic review underway as well, but we do recognize the need to try to reconcile with some of these elements, and we've been able to do that in other parts of the world," Perino said.

According to the report, taking part in talks with Taliban is supported by Gen. David Petraeus, who will assume responsibility for US policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The general used a similar approach in Iraq, where a US push to enlist Sunni tribes in the fight against al-Qaida helped sharply reduce the violence in the country.

The Afghan government has reportedly conducted talks with Taliban in the recent weeks in Saudi Arabia.