Karzai confirms sticking points in BSA talks

KABUL): President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday restated his position on a proposed security pact with the United States, refusing to accept deal if the country’s sovereignty was not guaranteed.

Speaking to elders and representatives of the Nasir tribe at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Karzai ruled out signing the agreement as long as Afghanistan‘s security was not ensured.

“We are in talks with the US on the definition of foreign aggression, because no country is likely to resort to overt military action against Afghanistan…” the president said.

In a statement from his office, Karzai alleged terrorists in the guise of Afghans were being infiltrated into his country to kill the people there. “If Americans don’t support against them, what their bases here will mean?”

Another important but unresolved issue with the US concerned their military operations after an end to ISAF‘s current combat mission in 2014, the president added.

“The US wants to continue their military action beyond 2014 in the name of war on Al-Qaeda and other groups allied with it, but we consider this a violation of our sovereignty.

“Civilian casualties and harassment of our people in such raids are unacceptable,” he maintained, explaining neither the masses nor the Loya Jirga would endorse an agreement that hampered efforts at strengthening the government system.

Karzai once again asked the US to respect Afghanistan as an independent state in line with international law if it was really interested in sealing the bilateral security agreement (BSA).

He sought honest cooperation from Washington and Islamabad in promoting the ongoing reconciliation process aimed at bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table.

He went on to urge the elders to focus on their children’s education, its overall progress and prosperity.

The president assured the delegation that conducting inclusive elections was central to Afghanistan’s stability. The electoral process must be taken to its logical conclusion, he concluded.

pr/mud

Visits: 0