Scheffer

21/2/2009 Nato Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has said that failure in Afghanistan is “not an option” but he ruled out a military solution alone. “We should not be under any illusion there is a military solution,” he said.

Kyrgyz MPs have voted to close a key US base supplying troops in Afghanistan. The Manas base in Kyrgyzstan is used by thousands of US soldiers every month on their way to and from Afghanistan.

Swat-style truce acceptable

Robert Gates

Pakistan Swat-style truce in Afghanistan acceptable

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on 20/2/2009 that Washington could accept a political agreement between the Afghan government and the Taliban if the insurgents will lay down their arms and accept the government’s terms.