Karzai takes parting shot at US, Pakistan

KABUL, blaming foreigners for the current wave of violence in the country.

Speaking at a farewell reception, Karzai claimed his administration had been to attract a lot of international and domestic over the past 13 years besides balancing the foreign policy and forging good relations with neighbours.

As hundreds of government servants listened, the president also spoke of his disagreements with the US on the bilateral security agreement (BSA). “I had told the consultative Loya Jirga that Afghanistan’s stability depended on America and Pakistan. If they really desire, peace can be enforced in Afghanistan.”

He alleged the war in Afghanistan was aimed to promote the interests of foreigners, with the Afghans paying a heavy cost. His administration had made serious efforts to end the ongoing violence, Karzai said, referring to 20 visits to Pakistan during his tenure.

“We tried a lot to restore stability, but America doesn’t want peace and has its own interests here. Pakistan has been sticking to a two-pronged approach: Recognition of the Durand Line as an international border and influence on Afghanistan’s foreign policy. But I have firmly refused to toe that line.”

mds/mud

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