12-28-2007, 01:27 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Money changed hands between MI6 agents, Taliban: British media </b>
Pioneer.com
Nandini Jawli | London
The crisis over expulsion of two European diplomats in Afghanistan deepened on Thursday with fresh allegations that the duo were not only holding unauthorised talks with the Taliban but also had passed cash to the insurgents.
British media reports have quoted Afghan officials suggesting that the diplomats had given money to the insurgents, who are involved in waging a bloody war against British and other NATO forces.
Britain insisted on Wednesday night that discussions with lower-ranking members of the Taliban had been sanctioned by the Afghan Government, and did not justify the expulsion of two such senior Western diplomats.
Details in British media suggest cash being involved in dealings with Taliban. <b>The Guardian reported that the expelled diplomats-EU's acting mission head in Kabul, Michael Semple, who is Irish, and Mervyn Patterson, a senior UN official and a British national had visited Musa Qala in Helmand province on Monday.</b>
The duo spoke to local leaders in the town and were recaptured from the Taliban by British and Afghan troops two weeks ago after fierce fighting.
The paper quoted an Afghan Government official saying, "Not only did they hold talks with the Taliban but also had given them money. They are personae non gratae."
<b>The BBC quoted Governor of Helmand province Asadullah Wafa that he had warned the diplomats not to meet the Taliban who are 'fighting us and training suicide bombers'. Wafa also told the BBC that an Afghan travelling with the diplomats had almost $20,000 on him, which he could not explain. </b>
The Times reported that the accusation against the two men was made after President Karzai of Afghanistan was told that duo were attempting to broker a deal with the Taliban behind his back.
Allegations about their activities in Helmand coincided with fiercely denied reports by Britain that MI6 agents have been in contact with the Taliban. Whitehall sources said there was nothing to suggest a link between the activities of MI6 in Afghanistan and the role of the two western diplomats.
Despite Government denials on Wednesday night, British papers have reported that Britain and other members of the international security force in Afghanistan are currently supporting President Hamid Karzai's attempts to "peel off" lower-ranking members of the Taliban who are not fully committed to the insurgency.
The Times says, <b>"MI6 is playing its part in meeting likely candidates, but its role, according to senior British Govt officials, is strictly in line with Kabul's strategy of reconciliation".</b>
The opposition Conservatives see the developments as sign of the 'increasingly confused messages emerging from No 10 Downing Street over the British approach to Afghanistan. <b>They are mounting pressure on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to return to the Parliament and explain what discussions are taking place with Taliban fighters. </b>
The Conservatives said Britain should not be holding meetings with the Taliban while they were killing British troops.
Liam Fox, the shadow Defence Secretary, said, <b>"The whole strategy is disjointed. We need a single co-ordinator to ensure things are properly joined up between the military and politicians". </b>The Liberal Democrats said they were in favour of talking to the Taliban but also had concerns about Brown's overall approach.
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Pioneer.com
Nandini Jawli | London
The crisis over expulsion of two European diplomats in Afghanistan deepened on Thursday with fresh allegations that the duo were not only holding unauthorised talks with the Taliban but also had passed cash to the insurgents.
British media reports have quoted Afghan officials suggesting that the diplomats had given money to the insurgents, who are involved in waging a bloody war against British and other NATO forces.
Britain insisted on Wednesday night that discussions with lower-ranking members of the Taliban had been sanctioned by the Afghan Government, and did not justify the expulsion of two such senior Western diplomats.
Details in British media suggest cash being involved in dealings with Taliban. <b>The Guardian reported that the expelled diplomats-EU's acting mission head in Kabul, Michael Semple, who is Irish, and Mervyn Patterson, a senior UN official and a British national had visited Musa Qala in Helmand province on Monday.</b>
The duo spoke to local leaders in the town and were recaptured from the Taliban by British and Afghan troops two weeks ago after fierce fighting.
The paper quoted an Afghan Government official saying, "Not only did they hold talks with the Taliban but also had given them money. They are personae non gratae."
<b>The BBC quoted Governor of Helmand province Asadullah Wafa that he had warned the diplomats not to meet the Taliban who are 'fighting us and training suicide bombers'. Wafa also told the BBC that an Afghan travelling with the diplomats had almost $20,000 on him, which he could not explain. </b>
The Times reported that the accusation against the two men was made after President Karzai of Afghanistan was told that duo were attempting to broker a deal with the Taliban behind his back.
Allegations about their activities in Helmand coincided with fiercely denied reports by Britain that MI6 agents have been in contact with the Taliban. Whitehall sources said there was nothing to suggest a link between the activities of MI6 in Afghanistan and the role of the two western diplomats.
Despite Government denials on Wednesday night, British papers have reported that Britain and other members of the international security force in Afghanistan are currently supporting President Hamid Karzai's attempts to "peel off" lower-ranking members of the Taliban who are not fully committed to the insurgency.
The Times says, <b>"MI6 is playing its part in meeting likely candidates, but its role, according to senior British Govt officials, is strictly in line with Kabul's strategy of reconciliation".</b>
The opposition Conservatives see the developments as sign of the 'increasingly confused messages emerging from No 10 Downing Street over the British approach to Afghanistan. <b>They are mounting pressure on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to return to the Parliament and explain what discussions are taking place with Taliban fighters. </b>
The Conservatives said Britain should not be holding meetings with the Taliban while they were killing British troops.
Liam Fox, the shadow Defence Secretary, said, <b>"The whole strategy is disjointed. We need a single co-ordinator to ensure things are properly joined up between the military and politicians". </b>The Liberal Democrats said they were in favour of talking to the Taliban but also had concerns about Brown's overall approach.
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