Taliban figure freed by U.S.

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.myafghan.com/news2.asp?id=-310865698

(UPI) - The United States has released from custody in Afghanistan the former Taliban foreign minister as part of a strategy to recruit elements of the former regime into the U.S.-backed government of President Hamid Karzai.

Afghan and Pakistani officials said the Karzai government has been negotiating with the former minister, Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil, to entice elements of the Taliban to join the government.

Mr. Karzai's government faces widespread security problems in the Pashtun-dominated areas of the country that formed the heartland of the Taliban movement.

Mr. Muttawakil was handed over to Afghan authorities last week after more than 18 months in U.S. custody.

The move represents a sharp departure from the previous policy of the United States.

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[Jack The Tab]

1. Our hypocritical, stupid, short-sighted regime...

2004 can't come soon enough

[E_Zapata]

2. What? What about the ZERO tolerance on terra-rists?!!

jesus fucking christ.

[smallprint]

3. kick