My dear Taliban, you are welcome in your own soil. Do not hurt this country, and don't destroy or kill yourselves," Karzai told the some 1,600 delegates in his opening address, which was broadcast nationally on state television.
But he said militants who caused the deaths of Afghans — an apparent reference to al-Qaida leaders — deserved no sympathy. "Those people who are killing innocents, punish them," Karzai said.
Karzai said years of violence and infighting had driven thousands of Afghans to join the Taliban and another major insurgent group, Hizb-i-Islami, out of fear.
Taliban Attacks Karzai "Peace Conference"
