US President Barack Obama on the future of Afghanistan
In an exclusive interview with the BBC, US President Barack Obama said progress in Afghanistan was subject to the Taliban accepting certain conditions.
Mr Obama said any steps toward reconciliation would require the Taliban to cut all ties with Al Qaeda, renounce violence and accept the Afghan constitution.
The president said that while direct talks with the Taliban were complex at the higher levels, he supported the Peace Jirga set up by Afghan President Karzai aimed at reconciliation.
22 May 2011
- From the section US & Canada