Most Taliban Fighters Have Economic Motives, Says British Minister

British Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell says up to 80 percent of the Taliban in Afghanistan are not hardcore militants and could be swayed to defect, Reuters reports.

Most militants have joined the insurgency for economic reasons, according to Rammell.

At a conference in London last week, representatives of a number of Western nations discussed reintegration -- luring away the foot soldiers -- and reconciliation -- negotiations with Taliban leaders.

Rammell said that...