Today, the escalating pressure of our military campaign is sharpening a similar decision for the Taliban: break ties with al-Qaida, give up your arms, and abide by the Afghan constitution and you can rejoin Afghan society. 'That was the wrong choice, and they have paid a heavy price. 'In 2001, after 9/11, the Taliban chose to defy the international community and protect al-Qaida,' Clinton said.

And, that is the policy of the United States.'Ĭlinton also announced the appointment of Holbrooke's successor, Marc Grossman, a former career diplomat who has served in Pakistan and Turkey and one-time Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs.Ĭlinton was blunt in her assessment of the Taliban’s future and the challenge they face from the United States and its allies. there has to be a place for them.' Those were his words. If they are willing to accept the red lines and come in. He once observed, and I quote, 'In every war of this sort, there is always a window for people who want to come in from the cold. She said: 'Our friend Richard Holbrooke believed a better future is possible for Afghanistan, for Pakistan, and the wider region. She warmly paid tribute to his peace-making legacy, saying he had been 'an architect of our integrated military-civilian-diplomatic strategy. At the time, he had been working hard to broker a solution for the war-torn region. Holbrooke, who passed away in December while serving as the Obama Administration’s Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

And they cannot escape this choice,' she told a packed auditorium at Asia Society New York headquarters.Īmerica’s top diplomat delivered her comprehensive and resolute warning in a speech that honored former Asia Society Chairman Richard C. NEW YORK, FebruIn a major policy speech on Afghanistan today, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton outlined a 'clear choice' for the Taliban: reject al-Qaida and terrorism or 'face the consequences.' Asia Society Museum: The Asia Arts & Museum Network.

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