Stardate 20011119.1640 (On Screen): It appears that Germany may be about to make a significant contribution to the war. (Relief!) Plans for a conference in Europe by representatives of the various Afghan faction to sort out a new government appear to be maturing, and the most likely venue for it now is Berlin. I think that would be an excellent choice.
Even more promising is that members of the Northern Alliance have asked the UN to find and include representatives "from the ethnic group most closely linked to the Taliban" (i.e. the Pashtun) to participate. That request suggests that they're getting serious about this and looking for a long term solution. Any solution that doesn't include the Pashtun and protect their interests is guaranteed to fail.
What we don't need is civil unrest while this is going on. Let's see if the anti-globalization people (recently converted to "anti-war" people) can get it through their heads that this conference is about peace and take their demonstrations elsewhere. (discuss)
