Bombs kill 2 NATO soldiers in Afghanistan

KABUL (AP) — Bomb strikes killed two NATO soldiers — a Briton and a Norwegian — and a rocket attack at the major international military base in southern Afghanistan wounded eight other international troops, officials said Monday.

Bulgaria’s defense minister was at the base but was not injured.

The violence came three days before a London conference on Afghanistan that is expected to focus on a government plan to reintegrate Taliban militants willing to lay down their arms.

The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, said the Taliban could be part of a peace agreement if an influx of 37,000 foreign troops succeeds in bringing stability to the country.

An Afghan government plan to offer jobs, vocational training and other economic incentives to tens of thousands of Taliban foot soldiers willing to switch sides will be discussed at the international conference in London on Thursday.

Officials have said the program would allow individuals to lay down their arms while top Taliban leaders are urged to negotiate peace. The Taliban leadership has rejected talks as long as foreign forces remain in Afghanistan.