US support Afghan peace effort: Gates

US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates says the United States has a say in talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, even if US officials aren’t sitting at the peace table.
Gates says any reconciliation between the Afghan government and the Taliban insurgents has to be led by Afghans. But he told a NATO press conference in Brussels Thursday that the US is offering advice and kept an ear on the initial talks. Gates says reconciliation efforts may not bear fruit anytime soon, but he says the effort is worth making. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton added that the US supports what the Afghans are doing, but is not ready to make any judgment about how far the talks should go.

Briton jailed over stolen Shakespeare text

LONDON: A court jailed a British antiques dealer for eight years Monday for smuggling a stolen William Shakespeare manuscript to the United States and trying to sell it to pay for his playboy lifestyle.

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Briton jailed over stolen Shakespeare text

Obama reaffirms Iraq exit plan

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama says the United States is on track to end its combat mission in Iraq by the end of this month, transitioning from a military to a civilian-led effort.

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Obama reaffirms Iraq exit plan

US Cannot Resolve Indo-Pak Conflict: Barack Obama

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama says the United States is not responsible for resolving the long-standing conflict between Pakistan and India, but that America wants to encourage security and civil progress in both nations.

Obama said Tuesday that the U.S. will encourage India and Pakistan to feel secure and to “focus on the development of their own countries.” He defended U.S. aid to Pakistan that is meant to help the nation combat extremists.

Obama made his remarks in a brief news conference with visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

“The relationship between the United States and India will be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century,” Obama declared — twice — during a news conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The two appeared before reporters in the East Room after an elaborate morning welcome ceremony that was moved indoors by rain and about two hours of private talks in the Oval Office.

He also touted India as a key partner on a range of crucial global issues. He used some of the same complimentary language he displayed while in China, only there he was looking to prod Beijing to do more with its new clout, while with Singh he was lauding what is already happening.

Obama said he and Singh agreed to “work even closer” on sharing information between law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Obama called the two nations “natural allies” on the topic.

“We both recognize that our core goal is to achieve peace and security for all peoples in the region, not just one country or the other,” the president said.

Noting that the United States was India’s largest trading partner, Obama said broadening trade ties would help create much needed jobs in the two countries, both wracked by economic recessions.

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US Cannot Resolve Indo-Pak Conflict: Barack Obama was first posted on November 25, 2009 at 1:06 pm.