Kabul backs Crimea’s accession to Russia

KABUL (Pajhwok): A joint delegation of US Congress and Senate, led by Ms. Kelly Ayotte, called on President Hamid Karzai in Kabul on Saturday.

The proposed bilateral security agreement (BSA) between Afghanistan and America, release of prisoners from Bagram jail, regional issues including recent events in Ukraine and Crimea were discussed.

A statement from Presidential Palace said the US lawmakers urged the early signing of BSA and a review of the decision on some prisoners’ release from the Bagram prison.

In response, President Karzai said: “I am sure my administration’s stance on the security pact is pretty clear. Our conditions for signing it remain unchanged.”

He stressed the BSA must lay the foundation of durable peace and the launch of a substantive reconciliation process in addition to guaranteeing Afghanistan’s territorial integrity.
Prisoners’ release from the Bagram jail was based on the decision of judicial and security organs, as well as lack of incriminating evidence.

The president said he respected the outcome of a recent referendum on Crimea’s accession to the Russian Federation. He called the referendum the voice of Crimea’s people.

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