(Image source: euronews)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

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As part of his trip to Afghanistan, British Prime Minister David Cameron discussed his country’s troop withdrawal and efforts to train Afghan security forces. But he also made an appeal to the Taliban.

“He also said that Taliban who renounce violence could have a role in a future government. But he warned that those who do not lay down their arms will continue to face the risk of being killed. (Video source: euronews)

Cameron made his appeal during a joint press conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. The BBC reports -- this was the most plainspoken reconciliation offer yet.

“Mr Cameron's appeal to insurgents was his most direct to date. He said: ‘To the Taliban, the message is very clear: Stop killing, stop bombing, stop fighting, put down your weapons, join the political process and you can be part of the future of this country.’”

The Prime Minister pointed to Northern Ireland as an example, where former members of the IRA group Sinn Fein now hold political positions. That comparison didn’t go down well with Sinn Fein, whose members insist the two situations are entirely different.

“As Mr Cameron flew back to the UK, Sinn Féin was scornful of the comparison between the Afghan and Northern Irish peace processes. ‘It is a complete distortion to compare the Irish Republican project to that of the Taliban. It is a theory that simply doesn’t hold water...’” (Financial Times)

Both the U.K. and U.S. governments are reportedly reaching out to moderate Taliban groups, so the idea of enticing them to lay down their weapons is gaining traction. But a blogger for The Economist says the move is likely to anger many Brits.

“... the British public will not tolerate fighting in Afghanistan indefinitely, but will surely react harshly if the end is a scramble into chaos that mocks all the lives shed to date, both foreign and Afghan. It is not even clear how the British public will react when they realise that an exit strategy depends on talking to the Taliban.”

Cameron’s visit was marked by the hunt for a missing British soldier, who was found dead Monday. The Prime Minister said the death was a demonstration of the high price the British are paying for their involvement in the country.

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