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U.S. General Says Taliban Should Negotiate Peace Now


Afghanistan -- An Afghan National Army soldier stands beside a billboard during a ceremony marking 22nd anniversary of Mujahideen (holy fighters) victory against the Soviet invasion, in Herat, April 28, 2014
Afghanistan -- An Afghan National Army soldier stands beside a billboard during a ceremony marking 22nd anniversary of Mujahideen (holy fighters) victory against the Soviet invasion, in Herat, April 28, 2014
The top U.S. military official says the Taliban should take advantage of what may be a shrinking opportunity to seek a negotiated end to conflict in Afghanistan.

U.S. Army General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Reuters on May 22 that the Taliban’s “negotiating position is not going to improve. It’s going to erode.”

Dempsey was speaking after he met with NATO military leaders in Brussels as the alliance plans for what is expected to be a continued Western training mission in Afghanistan after most NATO troops leave the country at the end of 2014.

The Taliban has been intensifying its insurgent campaign as Afghanistan prepares for second-round voting in a presidential election to choose the country's first new leader in 13 years.
Based on reporting by Reuters
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