US defense secretary backs post 2014 stay in Afghanistan
Iran Press TV
Sun Dec 8, 2013 7:13PM GMT
US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says Washington supports the presence of US military presence in Afghanistan beyond the 2014 deadline for the withdrawal of foreign forces.
Hagel made the remark at a US military base in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand on Sunday.
'I believe there is a role for our coalition partners and the United States, but that depends on the Afghan people,' Hagel told soldiers in a question-and-answer session at Camp Bastion in Helmand province, adding, 'If the people of Afghanistan want to continue that relationship, then we will.'
Hagel is on a surprise visit to Afghanistan as Washington is frustrated over Afghan president's refusal to sign a bilateral security deal.
The visit comes amid a stand-off between the US and Afghan leaders over the security agreement.
Hagel acknowledged 'uncertainty about what happens next' for NATO forces after 2014.
'I have hope that the BSA will get signed,' he said.
A meeting between Hagel and Afghan president Hamid Karzai is not on the agenda.
But the US defense minister has already met with his Afghan counterpart Bismillah Khan Mohammadi in Kabul.
Afghan officials say the US has stopped several projects in the country to put pressure on Karzai to sign the deal, which allows US troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond 2014.
Many Afghans believe the US is envisaging permanent military bases there. Afghan political groups have also warned that things will get worse should the US set up permanent military bases in Afghanistan.
Afghan political figures have heaped scorn on the US-led forces for committing unforgivable crimes against Afghan women and children since invading the country in 2001.
Thousands of Afghan civilians, including a large number of women and children, have been killed during night raids by foreign forces and CIA-run assassination drone strikes.
The increasing number of casualties in Afghanistan has caused widespread anger against the US and other NATO member states, undermining public support for the Afghan war.
JR/PR
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