Abdullah warns against Karzai plan

KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai's plan to bring back moderate Taliban into society will only undermine democracy, his main political opponent said.

Abdullah Abdullah, the main opponent of Karzai's bid to win a second term in August 2009 elections, told Britain's Daily Telegraph Karzai's plan to win back moderate Taliban insurgents with jobs and other incentives also would alienate the Afghans.

"Other people which are killing people on the streets in the villages of Afghanistan and have taken the whole effort of the international community and the hope of the Afghan people as hostage into their hands, there are calls for them to come and join us and we will bribe you and pay you," Abdullah said.

He told the newspaper the gains of the current NATO-Afghan offensive to drive the Taliban from southern Helmand province would be lost unless the Afghan people are assured the Taliban would not be replaced with corrupt officials.

Abdullah said while Pakistan's help to destroy Taliban sanctuaries within its borders is critical, even that may not dissuade the "suicide generation."

Abdullah's warnings come as the NATO campaign, now in its second week, continues to face resistance. The report said a Taliban spokesman had rejected Karzai's reconciliation plan.

"Karzai is a puppet he cannot represent a nation or a government," the Taliban spokesman was quoted as saying.

Karzai was forced into a runoff with Abdullah but won a second term when Abdullah withdrew.