Richard Lugar actually said...

But are there really alternatives? Didn't we select or support various elements, now including President Karzai, in part because they appear...

It's confusing to me how this group can be led to gather at the negotiating table given that we've already said that this process has to be ...

we must acknowledge that the voice of Afghans themselves is missing.

We must negotiate, but negotiate from strength, which necessitates the presence of all the Afghan partners at the table.