Paying the Taliban to quit

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The US military in Afghanistan is to be allowed to pay Taliban fighters who renounce violence against the government in Kabul. The move is included in a defense bill which President Obama has signed. The Senate Armed Services Committee chairman, Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), has said he envisages the money being used to pay former Taliban fighters to protect their communities. Katy Clark talks with Senator Levin. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Carl Levin’s Senate page