- Dec 5, 2010
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OTTAWA - Canada is not talking to the Taliban, a spokesman for Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Monday after U.S. reports confirmed the Americans were chatting with the terrorist group.
“Canada is not involved in negotiations with the Taliban,” Chris Day said in an e-mail.
Day was responding to queries after U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates confirmed on the weekend that State Department officials have been in direct talks with Taliban members in recent weeks.
Gates’ comments follow those of Afghan President Hamid Karzai who said the U.S. was in contact with Taliban, a terror group of Islamic fundamentalists NATO forces have been fighting for a decade in Afghanistan.
“Canada supports Afghan efforts to reach out to those who renounce violence, respect the Afghan constitution and have no links with al-Qaeda or other terrorist groups,” said Day.
Canada is pulling the bulk of its troops out of Afghanistan this year. Those remaining will be part of a NATO group training the Afghan National Army and police.
Liberal Leader Bob Rae said he wasn’t surprised by backdoor discussions of an informal nature.
“I think Canada would obviously be interested in what’s being discussed and what the consequences of those discussions are,” he said
Will Obama will be bowing to a Taliban leader? (If he hasn't already that is)
http://www.torontosun.com/2011/06/20/canada-not-talking-to-taliban