Chaos if BSA not signed: US intelligence report

KABUL will slide into chaos if the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) on America’s military presence there beyond 2014 remains elusive, an influential US newspaper reported on Sunday, saying the pact is essential for continued international aid.

The Washington Post, referring to a new US intelligence assessment, said the gains the Washington and allies had made in Afghanistan over the past three years would be significantly rolled back by 2017, even if some US troops remained.

President Hamid Karzai says the deal — approved by consultative a Loya Jirga.

According to the newspaper, the National Intelligence Estimate — containing input from America’s 16 spy agencies — warn the Taliban will gain increasing strength as the United States winds down its longest war in history.

Citing an unnamed official familiar with the gloomy assessment, it said: “In the absence of a continuing presence and continuing financial support, the situation would deteriorate very rapidly.” The view was shared among US officials working on Afghanistan, the official added.

PAN Monitor/mud

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