Clinton says Taliban who seek reconciliation with government must respect women’s rights

Clinton: ex-Taliban must respect women’s rights

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is ruling out any political reconciliation with Taliban militants who refuse to recognize the rights of women.

Speaking Thursday at a Washington think-tank with Afghan President Hamid Karzai (HAH’-mihd KAR’-zeye), Clinton said she supports Karzai’s efforts to persuade insurgents to lay down their arms.

But she said militants must renounce terrorist ties and agree to abide by Afghanistan’s laws. She says “They must respect women’s rights.”

She and Karzai also said a planned operation to root out extremists from Kandahar will not be a traditional offensive.

They said the operation would rely heavily on the support of local elders for success.