US troops may leave if no deal in Afghanistan
Updated: 2013-11-26 15:00
(Agencies)
|
|||||||||
CONDITIONS
Karzai spokesman Aimal Faizi said the Afghan leader laid out several conditions for his signature to the deal in the meeting, including a US pledge to immediately halt all military raids on, or searches of, Afghan homes.
The Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) includes a provision allowing raids in exceptional circumstances - when an American life is directly under threat - but it would not take effect until 2015.
This issue is particularly sensitive among Afghans after a dozen years of war between Afghan and foreign forces and Taliban militants.
"It is vitally important that there is no more killing of Afghan civilians by US forces and Afghans want to see this practically," Faizi said.
Karzai also called on Washington to send remaining Afghan detainees at the US military detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, back to Afghanistan, saying that the Loya Jirga, the assembly of elders and leaders that convened last week to debate the deal, had endorsed the pact with this condition.
Faizi said Karzai also asked the US officials to guarantee that the United States would refrain from endorsing any candidate in national elections next year.
Karzai blamed the United States for meddling in the 2009 presidential election, while his opponents accuse the president of using the pact to ensure his influence in next year's polls.
US officials have appeared exasperated by Karzai's stance on the security agreement, which they say is needed to help them plan a future mission that will assist Afghan forces fight militants and that will allow for future aid crucial for the impoverished nation.
The Obama administration has not said when it would make a decision to abandon the talks and commit to pulling all of its troops out of Afghanistan at the end of 2014, as it did in Iraq.
Faizi said the Afghan president had asked his American visitors to return to the US president with his message.
"The ball is in your court now, and get back to us," he said.
- Focus on China-Africa research
- In photos: NE China blanketed by heavy snow
- Kennedy visits Japan's disaster areas
- Volcano eruption leads evacuation in Indonesia
- Nuclear power 'to fall short of demand'
- Experts doubt smog linked to low birthrate
- Residents near pipeline blast demand relocation
- Doggy, please be my ears and listen for me
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Going for 100,000 |
The way of kindness |
Intl attention on reform agenda for China |
A second opportunity |
Luxury giants tap into mainland market |
Aiming for 100,000 |
Today's Top News
China pursues a 'balanced and active' European policy
Trimble helping China grow
Gallup poll a bit hazy over air quality satisfaction
More Americans say Obama can't manage govt
China, Romania seal deals
Obama heckled in Chinatown
Kennedy visits disaster areas
Rules on investment eased
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |