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American forces will stay here in Afghanistan for more years to come. It has been guaranteed. The Afghan parliament has approved the U.S-Afghan strategic partnership deal on Saturday. Around 190 MPs were inside the lower house. They all voted for this pact except four.
This deal will ensure the interests of Afghanistan, they said. But key political figures, like Ahmad Shah Ahmazai, quickly came out with strong condemnations. He is former Afghan Prime Minister. Mr. Ahmadzai believes the strategic deal will question his country’s sovereignty. He warned his people to brace themselves for more unrest.
It has taken others by surprise too. On the streets, people were also not expecting this from their representatives in the parliament. Some did not know what is next. But others did.
They were worried about their future. This man has told us that enduring U.S military involvement will only achieve deaths in his country. We are tired of this war. It must be ended, he said.
This weariness can also be felt in NATO member countries too. It has become obvious after the new French President----- in a surprise visit to Kabul yesterday------- announced that it is the last year of all French combat troops in Afghanistan.
They will be pulled out at the end of 2012. France’s withdrawal is two years ahead of 2014 deadline.
So it is not only Afghans who are growing weary of this long running conflict, but also some key U.S allies.
Unlike the US, it seems that they have finally realized that this war cannot be won, especially militarily. Now it remains to be seen if the U.S will be able to convince Afghans that its long-term presence here will not cause further chaos.
This deal will ensure the interests of Afghanistan, they said. But key political figures, like Ahmad Shah Ahmazai, quickly came out with strong condemnations. He is former Afghan Prime Minister. Mr. Ahmadzai believes the strategic deal will question his country’s sovereignty. He warned his people to brace themselves for more unrest.
It has taken others by surprise too. On the streets, people were also not expecting this from their representatives in the parliament. Some did not know what is next. But others did.
They were worried about their future. This man has told us that enduring U.S military involvement will only achieve deaths in his country. We are tired of this war. It must be ended, he said.
This weariness can also be felt in NATO member countries too. It has become obvious after the new French President----- in a surprise visit to Kabul yesterday------- announced that it is the last year of all French combat troops in Afghanistan.
They will be pulled out at the end of 2012. France’s withdrawal is two years ahead of 2014 deadline.
So it is not only Afghans who are growing weary of this long running conflict, but also some key U.S allies.
Unlike the US, it seems that they have finally realized that this war cannot be won, especially militarily. Now it remains to be seen if the U.S will be able to convince Afghans that its long-term presence here will not cause further chaos.
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