Thousands of Afghan tribal elders are set to convene a meeting to discuss a security deal that allows the US to set up permanent military bases in Afghanistan beyond the 2014 deadline for withdrawal of foreign troops. Civil leaders and members of Loya Jirga known as the grand assembly of elders will gather in Kabul in the third week of November to decide whether to support a deal allowing some US troops to stay in the country after 2014, officials said on Saturday. “We expect around 3,000 representatives to attend the Jirga,” said Sadeq Modabir, a member of the organizing committee, adding, “It may last between four and seven days.” Speaking to reporters in Kabul, Karzai has said his government would abide by the decision of the assembly. President Karzai has recently told British media that he is not ready to sign the deal as long as it does not suit Afghanistans interests and purposes. The meeting comes after talks between President Karzai and US Secretary of State John Kerry on the security deal bore no fruit. The two sides remained at odds on the issue of immunity for American troops. Washington says there will be no deal without immunity while Kabul considers it a violation of its sovereignty. Kabul and Washington are also at odds over US demands for the right to conduct unilateral military operations, and how the US would pledge to protect Afghanistan. Washington is pushing for the pact to be signed by the end of this month. The deal allows the US to keep its forces and bases in Afghanistan on a permanent basis. The developments have once again dashed American hopes that a pact can be quickly finalized. The collapse of a similar agreement with Iraq in 2011 led to the US pulling all its troops out of the country. Meanwhile, several Afghan political parties have recently heaped scorn on US-led forces for committing unforgivable crimes against Afghan women and children since invading the country in 2001. The Islamic Movement of Afghanistan Party and several other political factions have released a statement warning that things will get worse should the US sets up its bases in Afghanistan.
Posted on: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 20:22:55 +0000
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