US must prevent Taliban takeover in Afghan war: Gates

The United States must ‘at a minimum’ prevent Taliban insurgents from returning to power in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in an interview on Tuesday.

While President Barack Obama’s administration was still reviewing US strategy in Afghanistan, Gates said that the US effort would have to ensure the Taliban would not rule the country again after being ousted in 2001.

“I would say that at a minimum, the mission is to prevent the Taliban from retaking power against a democratically elected government in Afghanistan, thus turning Afghanistan, potentially again, into a haven for al Qaeda and other extremists,” Gates told National Public Radio.

The US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 toppled the Taliban regime, which had allied itself with the al Qaeda network. But the Taliban and associated militants have since regrouped and challenged the Kabul government’s authority, particularly in the south and east.

Gates was asked if the administration’s goal was to gain a strong enough position to pursue negotiations with elements of the insurgents, but he did not speak directly to possible talks with the Taliban.

“The specific mission is clearly one of the subjects under review by the administration right now. And I think we have to wait until that’s done to have real clarity on that,” he said.

US officials say the strategy review is due to be finished by the end of the month, ahead of a Nato summit in April.

Obama said over the weekend that possible talks with elements of the Taliban should be considered as an option, and Vice President Joe Biden said on Tuesday during a visit to Brussels that the approach was “worth exploring.”

Gates also reiterated calls for bolstering civilian efforts in Afghanistan and that he hoped Nato allies could provide some assistance.

“I think that they are committing additional troops to provide security for the election. I’m not sure that they’ll be there for a prolonged period of time,” he said referring to Nato member states.

“But I would say that really where we need the help is on the civilian side, whether it’s agricultural specialists or people who can help with governance, economic development, and so on.”

Obama last month approved the deployment of 17,000 US troops to Afghanistan, who will join the already 38,000 strong US force taking on a growing insurgency.