Afghan President Delays Signing of Deal with US

November 24, 2013

In an historic decision, Afghanistan’s assembly of tribal and community elders, the Loya Jirga, overall approved a multi-page Bilateral Security Agreement with the United States. But it is still unclear when the deal will be signed.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai accepted the decision by 2,500 tribal and community leaders to approve the security deal. But in a 45-minute speech Sunday, the Afghan leader held fast to his decision to not sign the agreement right away, saying he first wanted to see peace and security in the country as well as free and fair presidential elections in 2014.

“Peace is our condition with America. America should bring peace to us. I know if they stand with us honestly, it will happen," he said.

President Karzai also stipulated there could be no more U.S. military raids on Afghan homes.

U.S. officials have rejected a delay, saying they would not be able to form long-term plans on a troop presence without an agreement in place by the end of this year. U.S.-led international combat forces in Afghanistan are set to withdraw by the end of next year.

The Afghan leader’s decision ran directly counter to the call by the head of the Loya Jirga, former president Sibghatullah Mojaddedi that he sign the pact before the end of the year.

Washington also has insisted the agreement should be signed before 2014. The political brinkmanship between Karzai and Washington has marked their rocky relationship for the past eight years of his presidency.