Tensions continue over BSA as Kabul is rocked by suicide car bombing Disagreements continue Just days before a Loya Jirga (grand council) is set to meet in Kabul and vote on the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) between the United States and Afghanistan, Afghan President Hamid Karzai has rejected one of the provisions in the agreement, placing the entire deal in jeopardy, according to a senior Afghan official and Western diplomat (NYT, Reuters). While much of the reporting on the BSA negotiations over the last few weeks has focused on the issue of immunity for U.S. troops from Afghan law, the question of whether or not foreign troops will be able to search Afghan homes has emerged as a new sticking point. Those familiar with the negotiations say that Karzai rejects the idea of the United States conducting these searches either unilaterally or jointly with Afghan forces, and have said that this is even more important than the question of jurisdiction over U.S. soldiers who commit crimes in Afghanistan. Reports of the impasse emerged one day after the Washington Post reported that both the United States and Afghanistan had circulated a completed BSA draft to their respective administration officials and lawmakers, suggesting a measure of forward progress (Post). According to the Post, that version of the agreement resolved the immunity issue, though the latest disagreement may make that concession moot. The jirga is set to begin discussing the BSA on Thursday and will advise Karzai on whether he should sign the agreement or not (Pajhwok). If the security pact between the two countries cannot be finalized, it is possible the United States will exercise the zero option - pulling all combat troops out of the country when the NATO mission ends in December 2014. In addition to the diplomatic disagreements that are overshadowing the jirga, security has emerged as another concern after a bomb exploded near the council venue on Saturday, killing at least 12 people and injuring more than 20 others (AJAM, BBC, NYT, RFE/RL, VOA). Sediq Seddiqui, a spokesman for Afghanistans Interior Ministry, told reporters that a suicide bomber had detonated an explosives-laden vehicle near a security checkpoint, causing the casualties. The Afghan Taliban claimed responsibility for the incident.
Posted on: Mon, 18 Nov 2013 23:48:59 +0000
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