President Obama To Draw Distinction Between Taliban, Al-Qaida

WASHINGTON (AP) - As he sets a new course for the United States in Afghanistan, President Barack Obama is apparently ready to draw distinctions between the Taliban and al-Qaida—and focus the fight on al-Qaida.

His spokesman, Robert Gibbs, says, “They’re not the same type of group.“

According to a senior administration official, Obama is prepared to accept some involvement by the Taliban in Afghanistan’s political future—but won’t “tolerate their return to power.“

The official says Obama’s team believes some elements in the Taliban are aligned with al-Qaida, but probably not the majority.

The official, who is involved in the ongoing discussions at the White House on strategy in Afghanistan, says Obama appears to be inclined to send only as many more U.S. troops to Afghanistan as are needed to keep al-Qaida at bay.

Earlier this week, Republican Sen. John McCain warned in an interview on NBC that the Taliban and al-Qaida can’t be seen as separate threats. He said, “If the Taliban returns, they will work with al-Qaida.“