Talking to the Taliban ?

The Times: Reports that the UK Foreign Secretary Mr David Miliband has stated that NATO should talking to moderate Taliban, and try to turn them to support the Government system in Afghanistan. Just as the MOD has announced the name of the 20th soldier to die in Afghanistan at the hands of the Taliban/Terrorists it seems odd that Mr Miliband is suggesting talking to his killers. Afghanistan is not Northern Ireland or Iraq, what worked there might not work in country, of course you can buy a local war lord, that is almost a custom in Afghanistan, the local tribal clans are always changing sides, but they tend to come together to fight from their point of view an invader. The Taliban/Terrorists want us out, that is out of the question, we can not leave Afghanistan in the hands of bunch of thugs, the Terrorists of 9/11 and 7/7 would have their old base back, a base they would use to attack the West. Also the Obama Administration thinks of Afghanistan as JUST WAR, if you leave Afghanistan in the hands of Islamic thugs, who don't believe in rights of women the left in the USA will go bonkers again with Obama. This call for talks smells of thinking for a post election leadership struggle, one has to wonder if PM Brown gave the nod for this speech, Mr Brown of late has to fight the impression that our troops don't have enough helicopters and enough troops to hunt down the Taliban/Terrorists. Also sounds like Labour is getting cold feet over Afghanistan.