Stardate 20011114.1925 (On Screenvia long range sensors): Taliban desperation watch:
According to the latest U.S. intelligence estimates, the Taliban now only controls 10 percent of Afghanistan. CBS News has learned the Taliban has contacted the U.S. to ask for reduction in bombing in return for "discussions" about turning over Osama bin Laden.
They made this offer once before: stop bombing us and we'll talk. We won't promise to actually say anything, but don't you want to talk to us? That was a preposterous offer last time, and now it is beyond ludicrous: there isn't any way that we'd believe that they would negotiate in good faith. As is now well known, the Taliban and al Qaeda are two heads on one body, inseparable. They are not going to voluntarily give up bin Laden -- but they're certainly willing to talk about it if by so doing they can get the bombing slowed or stopped. Negotiation by us now would snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. But be certain that anti-war leftists here and in Europe will immediately take up the cry: Stop the bombing, they're offering to negotiate! (discuss)
