Afghan President Hamid Karzai has advised Taliban leader Mullah Omar to return to Afghanistan and join him in the political process, Geo News reported on Friday. In an interview with the channel, Karzai said, "I propose that Mullah Omar return to Afghanistan as I will be responsible for his security and answerable to the whole of the world on his behalf." Dostum is a practical man. If he knows where Mullah Omar is, likely Mullah Omar will meet with a terrible accident -- something along the line of falling under a tank. If he doesn't do it, Ismail Khan might. Or somebody else.
According to AFP, the US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan and France on Friday voiced support for Karzai's bid to hold talks with the Taliban.
"Yeah, sure. Go ahead. See what happens."
Talking to reporters at a Pentagon news conference, General David McKiernan, the commander of the International Security Assistance Force, said, "I think that's a political decision that will ultimately be made by political leadership. Ultimately, the solution in Afghanistan is going to be a political solution not a military solution."
"I have my doubts it's gonna involve Mullah Omar going out of the Taliban business. Maybe his successor, twice or three times removed, not him."
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said that in some regions in Afghanistan, there must be contacts with the Taliban at the local level, AFP reported. He said Karzai must not engage hardcore Taliban.