Feb 19, 2012

McCain endorses Taliban talks

By David Jackson, USA TODAY Updated 2h 51m ago

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., endorses U.S. talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan, putting him in agreement with the Obama administration and in dispute with Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, whom he has also endorsed.

"I think it's important to have talks wherever you can," McCain told ABC's This Week in an interview from Afghanistan. "We have to have an outcome on the battlefield … that would motivate a successful conclusion."

Afghan President Hamid Karzai said last week that peace talks have begun involving his government, the United States and the Taliban, though some Taliban officials have said they won't work with Karzai.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said last week, "We believe that an end to the conflict in Afghanistan will come when there is a political reconciliation. We have supported an Afghan-led process of reconciliation."

Romney, who has McCain's backing, has opposed U.S. involvement in Taliban talks, ABC News said:

During a recent presidential debate, Mitt Romney said "The right course for America is not to negotiate with the Taliban while the Taliban are killing our soldiers. The right course is to recognize they're the enemy of the United States."

McCain, who also said he is for a long-term American presence in Afghanistan, said he has not "had a conversation" with Romney about this issue. McCain added the former Massachusetts governor had a "realistic" approach.

McCain endorses Taliban talks