Afghan elders back US security pact, but Karzai uncertain
The Loya Jirga gathering of Afghan leaders approves deal with US, but president refuses to say he will sign
An assembly of Afghan elders endorsed on Sunday a security deal to enable US troops to operate in the country beyond next year, but President Hamid Karzai left the matter up in the air by refusing to say whether he would sign it into law.
The gathering, known as the Loya Jirga, had been convened by the president to debate the pact. It voted in favour and advised Karzai to sign it promptly.
But Karzai, in his final remarks to the four-day meeting, appeared to stand by his earlier position that he would not sign until after a presidential election due next April. Washington has insisted it must be clinched by the end of the year.
“If there is no peace, then this agreement will bring misfortune to Afghanistan,” Karzai told the gathering, “Peace is our precondition. America should bring us peace and then we will sign it.”
The president did not elaborate, but has previously said that a free and fair election is needed to guarantee peace in the country.
The chairman of the assembly, Sibghatullah Mojeddedi, told Karzai as the meeting was closing: “If you don’t sign it, we will be disappointed.”
The president responded “Fine!” and left the stage.
