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KABUL, Afghanistan — The U.S. national security adviser met Afghan President Hamid Karzai Monday in Kabul, while the Pentagon urged the leader to change his mind and sign a security pact that would allow thousands of American troops to stay in the country beyond a 2014 withdrawal deadline.
Karzai’s decision to ignore Sunday’s recommendation to sign by an Afghan assembly of dignitaries has cast doubt on the future presence of thousands of American and allied troops with the main mandate of training and mentoring Afghan soldiers and police to face a persistent Taliban insurgency.
The two-term Afghan leader insisted that the winner of an April 5 election to succeed him should be the one to sign the deal. But the U.S. administration says insists the deal must be finalized by the end of this year to give enough time for planning to keep the troops in the country. More than $8 billion in annual funds for Afghanistan fledgling security forces and development assistance also is at stake.
U.S. urges Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai to change mind and allow American soldiers to stay beyond 2014 | National Post
Karzai’s decision to ignore Sunday’s recommendation to sign by an Afghan assembly of dignitaries has cast doubt on the future presence of thousands of American and allied troops with the main mandate of training and mentoring Afghan soldiers and police to face a persistent Taliban insurgency.
The two-term Afghan leader insisted that the winner of an April 5 election to succeed him should be the one to sign the deal. But the U.S. administration says insists the deal must be finalized by the end of this year to give enough time for planning to keep the troops in the country. More than $8 billion in annual funds for Afghanistan fledgling security forces and development assistance also is at stake.
U.S. urges Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai to change mind and allow American soldiers to stay beyond 2014 | National Post
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