Afghan President Says No Security Deal Without Peace Talks
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JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Afghan President Hamid Karzai had harsh words for the United States and Pakistan at a hastily scheduled news conference.
Karzai continued to accuse the U.S. and Pakistan of conspiring to prevent stability in Afghanistan. “We want the U.S. not to be our rival, but be our friend,” the Afghan president said. “They cannot win against us through rivalry…we want honest friendship.”
During the same news conference, Karzai said that “We want this relationship for the benefit of our country. otherwise, it’s better they leave so we determine our future.”
Instead of announcing that he would sign a security agreement with the U.S., as was believed, Karzai instead said he would not do so unless a peace process is initiated with the Taliban. Karzai also said that he would not sign any deal under foreign pressure.
If a deal is not agreed to, the U.S. would not be able to keep troops in Afghanistan beyond 2014.
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