Clinton seeks conditional talks with the Taliban

Reflecting a subtle change in America's stance towards the Taliban, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that the US is 'willing to work' with the militant group if it renounces its ties with the Al Qaeda and commits itself to the constitution of Afghanistan.

"Under certain circumstances, we do," Clinton told a Russian news channel during an interview, responding to a question on whether she accepts the idea of working with the Taliban, if they are willing to talk to the Barack Obama administration.

"You cannot make peace with those who will not commit to peace," Clinton said, according to a transcript of the interview released by the State Department.

"You can't make peace with those who won't put down their weapons and participate in the political process. But if members of the Taliban renounce violence, renounce Al Qaeda, commit themselves to the constitution of Afghanistan, as with many conflicts around the world, then there can be a negotiation," Clinton said.

Noting that as far as Afghanistan is concerned, nobody knows better than the Russians about the difficult situation there, Clinton said, "I think, though, we are seeing progress in creating the environment for a political solution."

"This is not a conflict that can be won decisively, but enough ground can be gained so that the people's confidence in supporting political reconciliation can be obtained," she said. "That's what we're looking for," Clinton added.