>> "bbc world news" is presented by kcet, los angeles. funding for this presentation is made possible by -- the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu, the newman's own foundation, the john d. and catherine

t. macarthur foundation, and union bank. >> at now, bbc world news. >> this is "world news today." the headlines -- reconciliation if you want it. an offer to taliban insurgents in afghanistan from the foreign secretary of britain. the american delegation seeking a new impulse from italy's ps.

is iran's new government in disarray even before it is sworn in? also this hour, u.s. troops -- are they still patrolling iraq's cities in the months after they pulled out? and it is all building up. athletes get a sneak preview of london's olympic venue for 2012. it is 7:00 a.m. in washington, half past 3:00 in the afternoon of the afghan capital, kabul. if future strategy for the insurgency in afghanistan. barack obama has about afghanistan as a major priority for his administration, and he has committed additional troops to combat taliban militia. today, mr. miller band is focusing on dialogue. he ascended -- mr. -- mr.

miliband. >> british troops in afghanistan have had their deadliest month so far. 20 soldiers killed in the past four weeks. of the nato -- other nato countries have seen their casualties rise as well, so the question now is how the campaign against the taliban can be won. britain's foreign secretary, visiting nato headquarters this morning, came with a clear message -- military force alone will not be enough. there also needs to be political reconciliation and reintegration. >> that means in the long term an inclusive political settlement in afghanistan, which draws a way conservatives nationalists, separating those who want islamic rule locally, from those who would commit violent g h jihad globally.

>> afghanistan said david miller iband was at a turning point. >> by challenging the insurgency, dividing the different groups, by convincing the afghans' we will not desert them to taliban retribution, and by building a legitimate government, especially at the local level with the grain of afghan society, the afghan government with our support can prevail. >> with elections in afghanistan next month, those battling the in church and snow held by all is that their political struggle succeed as well. peter biles, bbc news. >> a dialogue as image of insurgency, there is news that in northwestern afghanistan, a request for the afghan government for a temporary cease-fire to allow for elections to take place next month. and while ago i spoke to neda a's spokesman. -- two nato's spokesman.

he said that people would have to trust their government more for real progress to be made. >> i do not think we should exaggerate yet the importance of these deals, and we will see if they stick. they may just be in the context of the election. this is not the beginning necessarily of an overarching political solution. do we want more? that being said from the afghan government, more generally in terms of fighting corruption, its capacity to deliver good services to the afghan people? of course we do, because that in the end will be the solution. the afghan people will have to trust their government more and see more in terms of supporting their government than they see in any other political solution. we know that the afghan government has devoted a lot to this already, but do we want more progress? yes, we do. i am quite sure you will hear more calls from the country sending forces to afghanistan. >> we can speak now to our correspondent in kabul. david, interestingly, the nato

view seems to be not to exaggerate these deals. how significant would you describe that arrangement? >> well, i think it is in just one province. the taliban have not even confirm that this has happened. this is a presidential spokesman that says there has been a cease-fire in the north, but if it has happened, that is significant. is the first time we have seen of any kind of cease-fire from the taliban. eight shows they are controlling the ground, and, yes, -- it shows they are controlling the ground, and yes, you can have your elections, but the fighting will continue afterwards. the british announcing today that 80,000 more afghans now live under the control of an area of nato forces, in the first part of what the british army called -- they are now moving toward that ground.

what they wanted, though, is to provide in that political space some political development, which is what david miliband is emphasizing so much in his speech in brussels today, not just about we need -- not just about winning the battle on the ground, but some of those 80,000 people are people that might have supported the taliban. what is in it for them if the british are there? we're seeing increasing impatience on the part of the british government and the american government up to a point. in patients with -- in patients with the -- we are seeing impatience with the afghan government, a more inclusive process that -- >> i suppose there is one thing to talk about, the odd -- the hearts and minds of ordinary afghans, whether it is taking place to their benefits. in terms of the heart and mind of the insurgents, that this

might be one round, that is a hell of and as ask, isn't it? >> yes, it is a difficult one to break. the key i think in david miliband's mind is splitting off those who want a conservative country in afghanistan, would not want to fight for global g jihad, giving them some kind of political process, some sense that they might have the future in afghanistan. other british government ministers today compared with the peace process in northern ireland, but at the same time, as a strong military pressure was continuing, to work a way out. the frustration is that there are some talks going on in the

saudi peace process, but it is not getting anywhere, and they are talking to the right people. the big level of the taliban leadership, or really on the ground, is there enough from the afghan government to give members of the taliban a way out? >> david, thank you very much indeed. can the united states kickstart the stalled middle east peace talks? u.s. defense attorney robert gates is in israel in an attempt to do precisely that. he is one of four senior officials meeting in the course of the week. all at a time when the relations between the countries are unusually tense. but go to jerusalem now. our middle east correspondent, cattleya adler, is there. any reason to believe that in the course of this week that tension could be eased at all? >> well, what we are hearing

from the office of israel's defense minister, ehud barak, is there is no breakdown but no major breakthrough, at no breakthrough really is expected this week. the israelis are impressed by the host of big u.s. names coming to town this week. it has been described in the israeli press as an airlift of u.s. officials. there is george mitchell, the special middle east envoy, jim jones, expected later in the week with a high-level delegation. as you say, robert gates, the defense secretary of united states, in jerusalem today. he assured israelis that although there have been diplomatic tensions of late, the israelis would never stand alone. >> israel is ultimately dependent on a sustainable, comprehensive middle east peace. the goal that is vitally important for regional stability. to help move the process forward, we will continue to address further israeli security

requirements to make a two-state solution possible. >> we are going to have a talk about iran and just a moment, katya, but how are the talks with -- how important are the talks with george mitchell at this stage? >> they are not purely focusing on trying to restart is really- palestinian talks leading toward a -- toward -- to restart israeli-palestinian talks. you saw george mitchell there, the u.s. special middle east envoy, going to syria before he came to televisa yesterday. he is now in egypt, meeting -- before he came to tel aviv yesterday. he is known in egypt. their goals are very ambitious ones. robert gates admitted that it will not be quick, it will not

be easy, but they are showing signs of determination. >> we heard from the defense secretary robert gates a moment ago, and he said the obama administration's attempts to negotiate with iran over the nuclear issue is not an open- ended offer. israel believes iran is trying to develop atomic weapons. iran says its nuclear program has peaceful intentions. john line is the bbc's tehran correspondent. he joins me in our studio now. john, briefly cut on the turmoil within, it is difficult to know what is happening in a ahmadinejad's government. >> what i am reading here is that he is being antagonistic not just to the opposition, but

toward conservatives, who were once his allies. he has appointed the former interior minister who was impeached because he had a fake degree, appointed him almost mockingly as inspector within the government. he is almost deliberately picking a fight with as many as he can. >> would have robert gates talking there, out of the middle east in a moment -- we have robert gates talking they're coming out of the middle east in a moment. >> i think the american messages really directing as much to iran's enemies and neighbors. i think that america is worried that if they do not keep the pressure on iraq -- well, firstly, president obama talked originally about the deadline of talks at the beginning of the year, and i think americans are trying to speed that up. they're trying to set a deadline of roughly the end of september, with the u.n. general assembly. this is directed toward iran's neighbors. they are obviously worried about their neighbors.

not in my opinion likely, but it is something that the world and obviously washington is likely word about. would they be tempted to push on and try to get themselves at least the option of getting a nuclear weapon? and several other countries in the middle east, who would maybe be interested in speeding up their nuclear programs. so america has to give the impression it is pushing as hard as possible on iran. the other angle of it of course is russia and china. they have to be dissuaded if new -- they have to be dissuaded its new sanctions are being brought against iran, that everything is being done to engage the peaceful dialogue route. >> thank you very much. north korea has suggested it is willing to talk about its nuclear program only with the united states. a statement from the foreign minister in p'yongyang says resuming the six-party talks between china, russia, the u.s.,

and south korea, would not help. transports and local government workers in south africa have gone on strike, demanding higher wages. difficult as for president zuma. the unions representing the workers have demanded a 15% rise. the local council voted 11.5%. south africa is suffering its first economic recession since the end of apartheid. the french president, nicholas sarkozy, has left the hospital after he collapsed sunday. he fell ill while jogging near his home. according to his office, the collapse was due to the heat and overworking. no link to any heart problems. we will have full market and financial analysis in 25 minutes. first of all of china, u.s., a big delegation. >> it is, absolutely, being described as most likely the

most in-depth talks since president obama became president. now president obama will inaugurate this two-day meeting, if you will, but actually leading will be the secretary of state, hillary clinton, and the u.s. treasury secretary, timothy geithner. all this was about taking the cooperation of the two sides even further. the economy will be number one. interesting to note, though, that since the bush administration saying that china now has one of over the united states, being in a better position than the united states, of course china is going to want to know how much the stimulus package that the u.s. is working on will stabilize the economy, china holding $50 billion of u.s. treasury bonds. they have been very worried about the stability of the u.s. dollar, so lots and lots to discuss. >> a very important meeting. we will have more on that.

you are watching "world news today." stay with us. coming up -- outlining the way ahead for afghanistan. the british foreign secretary makes an offer of reconciliation to taliban fighters. also, why the american military in iraq are continuing their patrols. that is despite an official withdrawal of troops from the country last month. the trial of the burmese democracy leader aung san suu keet has entered its final phase with the post -- aung san suu kyi, has entered its final phase. her lawyers expect a verdict within two to three weeks. the first nuclear submarine built entirely in the country -- the prime minister of india said they had no aggressive intentions but that the sea was becoming increasingly relevant to its security. >> senior naval officials were

out in force to bring the prime minister -- to greet the prime minister as he arrived. he came to launch the country plus a first nuclear-powered submarine, making india only the sixth nation in the world with such technology. to symbolize its completion, it was built with russian assistance. it was constructed entirely in india, and the prime minister hopes it will add a new dimension to the country's navy. >> the sea is increasingly becoming relevant in the context of india's security. we must therefore exert our military preparedness to this fast-changing environment. >> while telling his audience about the importance of the nuclear submarine, he says that india has no hostile intent to

other nations. >> we do not have any aggressive designs, nor do we seek to threaten anyone. >> but despite mr. sing's comments come at the launch is a clear sign that india is trying to increase its naval prowess encounter any threat from the other naval power in the region, china. kate mcgowan, bbc news. >> this is "world news today. the british born secretary has -- the british foreign secretary, david miller baiband says the key to success -- we are going to get some more on the main story now, the

speech by the british foreign secretary, david miliband, at nato headquarters. daniel, thanks very much for joining me. there is a signal of a moment here. we heard from the british defense that the first -- should we be turning our attention to david miliband, thinking about what happens next? is the big military push over? >> it is not over. it coincides with the end of the military offensive, to explain to the people why it is that the operation has taken place and what can possibly come next. the government has been smarting over the last couple of weeks over the criticism that they have been receiving, that the death toll has risen. they're trying to lay out that strategy right now, yes. >> a lot of this is heart-and-

mind stuff which we have heard before. but talking about the insurgents to the guerrillas, deciding that it might be better to go back to afghanistan -- is that realistic? >> in many ways we have heard this before. this has been a strategy outlined two years before. we have not really seen it, if you will, gain the retract -- gain the contraction required. with the election taking place in a few weeks, it is hard to see where a reconciliation moment would happen. it is probably going to be something for after the election, after we have eight new or reelected president, that we can reach out to the insurgents. >> they have a truce agreed with the taliban for the elections. is that the sort of thing that they are holding on to? are they going to make that stick now? >> it is hard to see where that

particular creek truce is going to -- dapper to a truce is going to -- those truces have not translated into longer reconciliation processes. >> the provinces and afghanistan are of course so different, are today, then the military landscape, and with the taliban's on power? >> very much so. the country is divided into three areas, and we will have to have different strategies within each one. whether we have the regularity of the understanding of the local environment to do that, that remains to be seen. >> daniel, thank you very much. it has been months since -- u.s. soldiers are no longer as visible in iraqi cities, but they are still facing attacks that are happening every week.

there are still 130,000 american troops in the country, and some continue to patrol areas that are meant to have been left to iraqi forces. in the northern city of mosul, gabriel gatehouse. >> by the americans own reckoning, this is iraq's most dangerous place. on average, there are four attacks here every single day -- explosions, shootings, and suicide bombings. this is the first foray into mosul in itself since the 30th of june. the last time they were here, they were attacked by grenades. officially, the americans should not be patrolling here anymore, but officially, this is not a combat patrol. these soldiers are on a reconstruction mission. they are supposed to be overseeing the clear up of a

wasteland. >> cleanup has started and is undergoing, and that is mission complete. that is what mission accomplishment looks like after june 30. >> but the 130,000 u.s. troops still in iraq are not just heavily armed garbageman. on patrols like these committees threat of violence is never far off. -- on patrols like these, in the threat of violence is never far off. every time they want to go in, they now have to ask the iraqis for permission and an escort. >> we also need to go -- >> both sides are still getting used to the new arrangement, and amidst the inevitable hospitality, there is much persuading and bargaining for. as americans prepare for a full withdrawal by the end of 2011, much has been made of the recent improvements in security. in the villages outside of mosul, where americans are still free to operate, locals complain

of unemployment and poor infrastructure. >> the iraqi police have come a long way since the beginning of our deployment here. their proficiency and their ability to get the job done is going to work me out of a job, which is good. >> since the withdrawal from cities, many of these men are effectively out of a job already, confined to base with little to do but think of home. as americans shift their attention for their eastern afghanistan, they are hoping these security gains they have achieved in iraq will hold once they do finally pack up and leave. april gatehouse, bbc news -- gabriel d. howe, bbc news, mosul, iraq. that a horrible accident over the weekend. >> yes come awful in the practice session. but his health is still improving. the ferrari star was injured in the grand prix on saturday. his injuries were described at the time as life-threatening,

but on monday he may pas-- he made passive communication with doctors. after sunday's race won by lewis hamilton, he visited messi in hospital. -- he visited massa in hospital. >> the only thing i can say is that i went in, i did not seek fully pay, but i saw the doctors that came from -- i did not see felipe. he reacted quite well when he saw his father, and the improvements yesterday are quite good. i said as a normal person that does not understand madison, i would like you to tell me, is he going to be okay -- that does not understand medicine, i would like you to tell me, is he going to be ok? he said yes. he is going to be fine.

>> david beckham is never far from the headlines. last friday, he was fined $1,000 for an altercation with a fan. on sunday he got involved with another supporter playing in kansas, the 34-year-old seeming to be enjoying himself signing autographs until he had a bit of a spat with a fan with an england shirt. he seemed unhappy with what the fans said about his wife, but then they did shake hands. occasionally, i think he allows those insult to get to him. >> thank you very much indeed. you are watching "bbc world news." go to our website. >> funding for this presentation was made possible by -- the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu, the newman's own foundation, the john d. and catherine t. macarthur foundation, and union bank.