Be ready for any outcome of talks, NATO troops told

KABUL troops to be ready for any outcome.

Gen. Scott Miller told NATO personnel at the Resolute Support Mission headquarters in Kabul on Tuesday to stay prepared for any eventuality.

Reuters quoted Gen. Miller as warning of preparing for both positive processes and negative consequences “Peace talks are out there, regional players pressing for peace…”

While addressing troops, the NATO commander noted that the Taliban insurgents were talking about peace and so was the Afghan government.

The US general asked the soldiers: "Are [the RS] able to adapt? Are we able to adjust? Are we able to be in the right place to support positive processes and negative consequences, that's what I ask you guys to think about in 2019,"

Without commenting on President Donald Trump’s plan to pull out nearly 7,000 troops from Afghanistan, he stressed the need for a political settlement to put an end to the conflict.

Meanwhile, US forces spokesman Col. David Butler told the news agency: “As long as the Taliban want to fight we are going to fight.”

The new year would bring a unique peace opportunity, he hoped. “Think of this -- 40 years of war has a possibility of coming to an end," Butler added.

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