Afghan chief criticises Britain

By David Loyn
BBC News, Kandahar

Mr Khalid is one of Afghanistan's most influential governors

The governor of the Kandahar province in Afghanistan has criticised British attempts to negotiate with the Taleban.

Assadullah Khalid told the BBC that the way two European experts were trying to negotiate was a mistake, and that is why they were expelled last year.

The expulsion of experts was one factor in the UK's worsening relationship with President Hamid Karzai.

That led President Karzai to block the appointment of Lord Paddy Ashdown to head the UN in Kabul.

The two acknowledged experts in Afghan affairs were expelled at the end of last year, after it surfaced that they were apparently trying to do deals for the British with some Taleban commanders.

Mr Khalid said that what the two men were doing was a mistake.

It was important to find a way to talk to the Taleban for reconciliation, but it could only be done by Afghans, he said.

"We are talking for reconciliation, not giving more power to the terrorists," Mr Khalid said.

Mr Khalid said the fight against the Taleban was still going well despite three suicide bombings in Kandahar in as many days this week.