Muslimyar against signing security deal with US

KABUL):  Senate chairman Fazl Hadi Muslimyar on Monday announced his opposition to signing of a key security agreement with the US and instead supported a strategic partnership agreement reached between the two allies two years ago.

Muslimyar told a press conference in Kabul he was not only against the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA), but everyone even from Saudi Arabia coming to Afghanistan with guns.

“I am personally not a supporter of signing the agreement, but can say nothing about other house members,” said the Meshrano Jirga chairman, who asked the US and Afghan governments to stay committed to their pledges and not to leave the security agreement undecided.

He said he was supportive of the strategic partnership agreement with the US and wanted Afghanistan to have good relations with the whole of the world.

The BSA was approved by a consultative Loya Jirga, asking President Karzai to sign the document within next six or seven weeks.

However, on the last day of the three-day tribal assembly, Karzai said he would not sign the deal even after approved by the assembly and ratified by the parliament.

He said the US should guarantee peaceful elections, end to raids on Afghan homes and arrange formal talks between his government and the Taliban.

Washington has warned withdrawing all troops from Afghanistan if the deal was not signed over the next five weeks.

Muslimyar said Afghan forces should be strengthened in all departments, hoping the forces would be able to take in their hand the entire security responsibility and not only maintain peace in Afghanistan, but also assist foreign countries.

He also said rockets attacks from Pakistan had left the people of eastern Kunar province worried about their safety, suggesting the issue should be raised with the Americans.

ma/mds