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| U.S., Afghanistan sign long-delayed security pact | U.S., Afghanistan sign long-delayed security pact |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| KABUL — The United States and Afghanistan on Tuesday signed a vital security deal that allows some American troops to remain in Afghanistan beyond this year, ensuring a continuing U.S. presence in the region. | KABUL — The United States and Afghanistan on Tuesday signed a vital security deal that allows some American troops to remain in Afghanistan beyond this year, ensuring a continuing U.S. presence in the region. |
| The Bilateral Security Agreement allows for 9,800 U.S. troops to stay in the country past 2014 to help train, equip and advise Afghan military and police forces. It comes as Taliban insurgents are increasing their attacks in an effort to regain control as most foreign troops prepare to leave by the end of the year. | The Bilateral Security Agreement allows for 9,800 U.S. troops to stay in the country past 2014 to help train, equip and advise Afghan military and police forces. It comes as Taliban insurgents are increasing their attacks in an effort to regain control as most foreign troops prepare to leave by the end of the year. |
| The accord was signed a day after Ashraf Ghani was sworn in as Afghanistan’s new president in a power-sharing government in the first democratic handover of power in the nation’s history. Ghani’s predecessor, Hamid Karzai, who had presided over the country since shortly after the Taliban was driven from power in 2001, had refused to sign the agreement, souring relations with Washington. | The accord was signed a day after Ashraf Ghani was sworn in as Afghanistan’s new president in a power-sharing government in the first democratic handover of power in the nation’s history. Ghani’s predecessor, Hamid Karzai, who had presided over the country since shortly after the Taliban was driven from power in 2001, had refused to sign the agreement, souring relations with Washington. |
| A separate, status-of-forces agreement also was signed. It permits a small NATO force to remain in Afghanistan past the end of the year. | A separate, status-of-forces agreement also was signed. It permits a small NATO force to remain in Afghanistan past the end of the year. |
| Under the BSA, as it is called here, American forces would keep some bases in the country. The agreement also prevents U.S. military personnel from being prosecuted under Afghan laws for any crimes they may commit; instead, the United States has jurisdiction over any criminal proceedings or disciplinary action involving its troops inside the country. U.S. contractors and their employees do not fall into this category and would be subject to Afghan laws. | Under the BSA, as it is called here, American forces would keep some bases in the country. The agreement also prevents U.S. military personnel from being prosecuted under Afghan laws for any crimes they may commit; instead, the United States has jurisdiction over any criminal proceedings or disciplinary action involving its troops inside the country. U.S. contractors and their employees do not fall into this category and would be subject to Afghan laws. |
| Tuesday’s signing took place at the presidential palace compound in central Kabul. The BSA was signed by U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham and Afghan national security adviser Hanif Atmar inside a hall with a glittering chandelier and portraits of Afghanistan’s leaders over several centuries. | Tuesday’s signing took place at the presidential palace compound in central Kabul. The BSA was signed by U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham and Afghan national security adviser Hanif Atmar inside a hall with a glittering chandelier and portraits of Afghanistan’s leaders over several centuries. |
| In the audience were Ghani and former political rival Abdullah Abdullah, who is now the chief executive of the unity government. After months of political tensions over a disputed vote, both men agreed to share power after a compromise deal was brokered by the United States, staving off the threat of ethnic rifts and violence. | In the audience were Ghani and former political rival Abdullah Abdullah, who is now the chief executive of the unity government. After months of political tensions over a disputed vote, both men agreed to share power after a compromise deal was brokered by the United States, staving off the threat of ethnic rifts and violence. |
| After the signing of the pacts — Atmar and a senior NATO official signed the status-of-forces agreement — Ghani took the podium and assured dignitaries, as well as Afghans watching the nationally televised ceremony, that the BSA would not violate the country’s sovereignty and laws. He also assured Afghanistan’s neighbors that the extended presence of U.S. troops would pose no threat to them. | After the signing of the pacts — Atmar and a senior NATO official signed the status-of-forces agreement — Ghani took the podium and assured dignitaries, as well as Afghans watching the nationally televised ceremony, that the BSA would not violate the country’s sovereignty and laws. He also assured Afghanistan’s neighbors that the extended presence of U.S. troops would pose no threat to them. |
| “I assure the nation that these agreements are in our national interest,” Ghani said. “If needed, these agreements can change with the consideration of the interests of both sides.” | “I assure the nation that these agreements are in our national interest,” Ghani said. “If needed, these agreements can change with the consideration of the interests of both sides.” |
| U.S. officials applauded the BSA as a new chapter in U.S.-Afghanistan relations. Secretary of State John F. Kerry, who played a key role in brokering the new unity government, said in a statement that the Afghan people “are determined to choose unity over division.” | U.S. officials applauded the BSA as a new chapter in U.S.-Afghanistan relations. Secretary of State John F. Kerry, who played a key role in brokering the new unity government, said in a statement that the Afghan people “are determined to choose unity over division.” |
| “This is a beginning not an ending, and with all beginnings the toughest decisions are still ahead,” he said. “As Afghanistan enters this new chapter in its history, the United States looks forward to deepening its enduring partnership with a sovereign, unified and democratic Afghanistan.” | “This is a beginning not an ending, and with all beginnings the toughest decisions are still ahead,” he said. “As Afghanistan enters this new chapter in its history, the United States looks forward to deepening its enduring partnership with a sovereign, unified and democratic Afghanistan.” |
| Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in a statement that “these agreements will enable American and coalition troops to continue to help strengthen Afghan forces, counter terrorist threats, and advance regional security.” | Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in a statement that “these agreements will enable American and coalition troops to continue to help strengthen Afghan forces, counter terrorist threats, and advance regional security.” |
| A Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, denounced the security pact, declaring it an attempt by the United States to assert its authority over Afghanistan and its people. | A Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, denounced the security pact, declaring it an attempt by the United States to assert its authority over Afghanistan and its people. |
| “Under the cover of the Security Agreement, America wants to occupy our land and nation, and make our people suffer,” Mujahid said in an e-mailed statement. | |
| But tribal leaders in areas targeted by the Taliban said Tuesday that they welcomed the security agreement. They said they hoped it would deliver a blow to resurgent Islamist militancy, as well as to what they described as meddling by neighboring Pakistan and Iran. | |
| “If the United States is honest with the security agreement with Afghanistan, the security agreement means prosperity for the Afghans and a heavy slap on the faces of Taliban, Pakistan and Iran,” said Haji Matu Khan, a tribal elder of Marjah district in volatile Helmand province. | “If the United States is honest with the security agreement with Afghanistan, the security agreement means prosperity for the Afghans and a heavy slap on the faces of Taliban, Pakistan and Iran,” said Haji Matu Khan, a tribal elder of Marjah district in volatile Helmand province. |
| On the streets of Kabul, Afghans expressed mixed feelings about U.S. troops’ continuing presence in their country. Some said the pact would help solve the nation’s many woes. | On the streets of Kabul, Afghans expressed mixed feelings about U.S. troops’ continuing presence in their country. Some said the pact would help solve the nation’s many woes. |
| “Signing the BSA is in the interest of Afghanistan. It will prevent civil war,” said Abdul Wahid Frogh, 28, a government employee. “From an economic perspective, the BSA will help Afghanistan attract aid and financial cooperation. As well, the BSA assures Afghan people that the international community will not let us go forward on our own, and this assurance will led to an economic boom.” | “Signing the BSA is in the interest of Afghanistan. It will prevent civil war,” said Abdul Wahid Frogh, 28, a government employee. “From an economic perspective, the BSA will help Afghanistan attract aid and financial cooperation. As well, the BSA assures Afghan people that the international community will not let us go forward on our own, and this assurance will led to an economic boom.” |
| But others were concerned about a long-term presence of U.S. troops and said Afghanistan had no other choice but to sign the pact. | But others were concerned about a long-term presence of U.S. troops and said Afghanistan had no other choice but to sign the pact. |
| “If we don’t sign the BSA, our forces won’t be paid. If our forces are not paid, they don’t fight the Taliban. If they don’t fight, the Taliban will be back,” said Mohammad Sediq, 41, a schoolteacher. “But the presence of foreign troops under the BSA shouldn’t be for a long time, because Afghans can’t tolerate foreign forces here for a long time.” | |
| Sharif Hassan contributed to this report. | Sharif Hassan contributed to this report. |