Jirga suggestions to be enforced: Karzai

KABUL would be considered in signing the proposed strategic agreement with the United States.

At separate meetings with delegations from different provinces at the Presidential Palace, Karzai promised he would seek more suggestions from the people on the accord, if needed.

The four-day assembly concluded on Saturday with the endorsement of the strategic cooperation agreement with the US. In a 76-article declaration, the delegates backed the creation of American bases in the country for a decade.

Signing the agreement with the US was necessary for maintaining security and strengthening Afghanistan‘s economy, delegates said in the declaration, which underlined respect for the Afghan culture, traditions and religion.

Karzai praised the jirga‘s attendees for keeping the national interest supreme during their discussions and outlining viable conditions.

“My core aim was that the US should treat Afghanistan as an independent country and the jirga has given the government valuable suggestions,” a statement issued from the Presidential Palace quoted Karzai as telling his interlocutors.

He vowed the jirga’s suggestions would be enforced and a presidential decree issued to all departments concerned in this regard.

Despite many challenges, the jirga was a success, the visitors said, hailing the event as a great achievement with regard to promoting the national interest and protecting the country’s sovereignty.

The participation of a large number of Afghans in the gathering showed the world that Afghans were able to address their problems with unity, they said.

One of the delegates, Qazi Mohammad Amin Wuqad, a former jihadi, said insecurity was the key challenge facing the country.

He said Afghans were longing for peace, like other nations of the world. Wuqad said Afghans believed in the credibility of the peace process initiated by the government.

Loya Jirga’s spokeswoman Safia Siddiqui called for brining changes to the formation of the High Peace Council. She said government officials in the council should be replaced with village elders, who had the ability to negotiate in a better way.

ma/mud

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