Washington in talks with Kabul on Bagram prison

WASHINGTON (PAN): The US is in talks with the Karzai government on the transfer of US prison to Afghan control, a top Clinton aide said Thursday, but did not give a time line.

 “We have been working, as you know, for some time with the Afghan government on appropriate timing and pace for transfer of the detention facilities,” Victoria Nuland, the State Department spokesperson, told reporters.

Nuland was responding to questions on orders given by President Hamid Karzai seeking the transfer of the US forces-run detention facility at the Bagram airfield in central Parwan province to Afghan control within a month’s time. “The United States is aware of the report,” she said.

 “We’re going to continue to work with the Afghan Government to implement the transition that we have both agreed needs to happen of detention operations in Afghanistan.  We need to do this in a manner that is maximally responsible.  That’s what we want to do, and we’re going to keep working on it,” Nuland said.

The State Department spokesperson, however, said no timeline has been decided on it as the discussions in this regard are still ongoing with the Karzai Government.

 “It is a matter that we have to work on with the Afghan Government as appropriate mechanisms are put in place for the transfer.  So those discussions are still ongoing, but when we have something further to announce, we will,” Nuland said.

When asked about allegations of human rights violations in these US run prisons, Nuland said the Obama Administration takes these allegations very seriously.

“We take seriously any charges or allegations of detainee abuse.  We respect the rights of detainees who are in facilities that the United States manages, and we ensure that all detainees in US custody are treated in accordance with international legal obligations, including Geneva Common Article III,” she said. Any specific allegations of detainee abuse are investigated fully by the Department of Defense and by ISAF, she added.

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