The Evolving Strategy To Win in Afghanistan

Dr. Robert Gates speaks to the media in the Oval Office Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2006. With more than 25 years of national security experience, Dr. Gates was announced as President Bush's intended successor to Donald Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense. White House photo by Paul Morse

Afghanistan Rebels Key To Future, Gates Says
-- Stars And Stripes

‘Sons of Iraq’ to serve as model for reconcilables


ABOARD AN AIR FORCE PLANE — Success in Afghanistan depends in part on separating reconcilable elements from the insurgency there, just as U.S. forces were able to do in Iraq, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Monday.

Gates spoke to reporters Monday while en route to high-level meetings in Eastern Europe. One reporter asked him to comment on a media report that Saudi Arabia is brokering peace talks with the Taliban.

"What we have seen in Iraq applies in Afghanistan," he replied. "What is important is detaching those members of the opposition who are reconcilable and willing to be part of the future of the country from those who are irreconcilable and have to be dealt with militarily."

Gates made clear that Taliban leader Mullah Omar is not someone who could be brought into the fold.

"I in my wildest imagination would never consider Mullah Omar a reconcilable," he said.

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My Comments: Gate's comments gives a heads-up on what will be NATO's strategy in Afghanistan next year.