A recent (May 2009) face-to-face poll of 3,200 Afghans found a large majority of Afghans want the government to make amends with the Taliban.

Do you think the government should hold talks and reconcile with the Taliban?

Yes: 68% No: 14% Not sure: 18% (link)

The results of the poll, commissioned by the International Republican Institute, are not very surprising. A poll two years ago found 60% of the country in favour of negotiations with the Taliban.