Afghan president says no longer 'trusts' US gov't
Iran Press TV
Sat Dec 14, 2013 10:43PM GMT
Afghan President Hamid Karzai says he no longer "trusts" the United States, blaming the US administration for saying one thing and doing another.
"I don't trust them," Karzai said on Saturday during his four-day visit to India, one day after emphasizing that he would not be "intimidated" into signing a security agreement with Washington that permits US forces in Afghanistan to stay beyond 2014.
Karzai made the remarks in a press conference on the second day of his visit in which Washington expects New Delhi to influence him to ink the controversial Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) with the US.
He reiterated that the Afghan nation cannot approve an agreement without guarantees that the US will halt its deadly airstrikes on residential areas.
"When Obama writes to me that he will respect homes, they should prove it ... implement the letter, respect Afghan homes," Karzai stated.
'Just instruct no more bombings and there will be no more bombings and of course launch the peace process publicly and officially,' he noted, adding that "I am trying to make it a win-win for all."
The afghan leader has refused to sign the security pact, saying the US military must first stop its night raids. The US has been pressuring Karzai to sign the pact but the Afghan president says the matter should be left to the next government after April elections.
Washington says if Karzai doesn't sign the deal before the end of the year, the US-led forces will leave Afghanistan completely.
The US and its allies invaded Afghanistan on October 7, 2001 as part of Washington's so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but after more than 12 years, the foreign troops still have not been able to establish security in the country.
MSM/NN/AS
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