Afghan elders enlisted to sway Taliban (UPI)
JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Nov. 28 (UPI) — New U.S. efforts to persuade rank-and-file Taliban fighters to switch sides have begun in Afghanistan with a meeting of tribal leaders, observers say.

World Karzai renews call for Taliban to lay down weapons (Japan Today)
Afghan President Hamid Karzai called on the Taliban and other extremist groups Friday to lay down their weapons and participate in rebuilding the battered country,

West aims to build Afghan forces with pay hike (Bernama)
A member of the Afghan special police force monitors an area in Herat November 3, 2009. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl KABUL, Nov 28 (Reuters) – Afghanistan announced a pay rise of nearly 40 percent for police and military recruits on Saturday, as Western countries aim to increase the size and quality of Afghan security forces so their own troops can go home.

Karzai asks Taliban to join talks (Gulf Times)
Afghan President Hamid Karzai yesterday marked the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha with a call on the Taliban and other Islamist insurgents to join peace talks in the war-torn country.

Brown aims to set Afghan goals for troops’ exit (Malaysian Mirror)
PORT OF SPAIN -Britain aims to set clear goals in international talks on Afghanistan next year to aid the withdrawal of British troops from the conflict, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Saturday.

Afghan talks to seek road to security handover (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
Britain will host talks on Afghanistan on January 28, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Saturday, just days before U.S. President Barack Obama spells out his expansion of the war effort next week.

Karzai renews call for Taliban to lay down weapons (The Durango Herald)
KABUL – Afghan President Hamid Karzai called on the Taliban and other extremist groups Friday to lay down their weapons and participate in rebuilding the battered country, as part of reconciliation efforts he has said will be his main objective during his second term.

Appeal of amnesty dwindles for Taliban as insurgency grows in strength (The Canadian Press via Yahoo! Canada News)
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – The appeal of amnesty has dwindled dramatically for Taliban thinking of giving up arms, hinting at an insurgency that is increasing its resolve and complicating President Hamid Karzai’s promise to reach out to insurgents.

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