Would you support talks between Hamid Karzai and Mullah Mohammed Omar?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I think it’s the right of the president of a sovereign nation to talk with whomever he chooses to talk with. But we would be quite skeptical of the results of any such talks. We think that there needs to be a distinction between the potential reintegration of a lot of the people who are part of the Taliban but are not the hard core, committed ideological fighters who don’t have allegiance with al-Qaida. With respect to reintegrating people off the battlefield, we would want them to renounce al-Qaida and renounce violence, and be willing to participate peacefully in their society. We think that holds great promise. With the prospect of reconciling with the leadership of the Taliban, we are quite skeptical. But it is worth exploring, because you don’t make peace with your friends, you — QUESTION: So you would support talks between Karzai and Omar? SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I think if they choose to speak – we have no evidence that Mullah Omar is interested in spe
