France has made an agreement with Afghanistan where French troops will continue training Afghan troops beyond the end of combat operations in 2014. Similar agreements have been made with Britain and Italy. The US has been able to make a similar agreement after a year of negotiations.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said that he does not want to make such an agreement with the US unless "NATO-led night raids" are stopped. He holds the US responsible for the civilian casualties such operations cause, despite being NATO-led. Karzai also wants a handover of US detention facilities.
"The U.S. is our largest and most important ally. What’s important for Afghanistan is the quality of the document, not how fast we can rush the signature," said Janan Musazai, a spokesman for the Afghan Foreign Ministry.
Blaming the US for civilian casualties of NATO operations seems like an attempt to appear strong and sovereign on Karzai's part while still leaving other means of support open. Kabul needs foreign aid to be able keep its influence in the country.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I don't think that completely blaming the attacks from NATO on the United States is completely accurate. I do agree that the United States has caused a lot of damage, but if its NATO run that means other nations also decided that it was important to do so. I agree with Joseph that it makes it seem like Karzai just wants to appear tougher to other nations by attempting to make the U.S. admit fault for the casualties.
Anti-American sediments have been brewing in Afghanistan (and the Middle East in general) since the Cold War, when the US and Soviet Union tore the country apart in one of their many struggles for power. While the US certainly is to blame for some of the violence (or much of the violence) that has wracked the country over the past couple of decades, I agree with Joseph and Jennifer that it is unfair to blame a NATO raid solely on the US, when it is obvious many other countries were involved. Doing so will stir up even more resentment against the US, which is the last thing it needs as it works to improve its relations with the Middle East.
Post a Comment