No change in Kabul’s stance on BSA: Tanin

WASHINGTON (Pajhwok): Afghan Ambassador to the United Nations, Zahir Tanin, on Tuesday categorically refuted reports of any change in his country’s stand on the bilateral security agreement or differences with President Hamid Karzai on the issue.

“Let me be clear the BSA will be signed only if Afghanistan’s conditions are met, namely the beginning of official peace talks. There is no change in Afghanistan’s position on the BSA, and our preconditions for signing it remain,” he said.

He made the statement response to news reports in American media, which claimed the ambassador’s position on the security pact was different from his government’s stance.

During the UN Security Council debate, Tanin said he only described the government’s position on ongoing cooperation with the international community, including the prospect of signing the BSA.

“Afghanistan’s position has been reiterated by HE Hamid Karzai, president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, including most recently at the opening session of parliament on Saturday,” Tanin said.

“As the president remarked, the people of Afghanistan recognise peace as the main base of life like any country in the world. So if a country wants a security agreement, relations and a military base, that presence must bring peace to Afghanistan.” he said.

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