http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/11/22/336039/afghanistan-rejects-us-demand-on-bsa/
Fri Nov 22, 2013 12:24PM
Afghanistan has rejected the US demand to sign a security deal with Washington, known as the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA), as soon as possible.
The US said on Thursday it wants the key security pact approved and signed by Kabul by the end of 2013.
White House spokesman, Josh Earnest, said, "Failure to get this [agreement] approved and signed by the end of the year would prevent the United States and our allies from being able to plan for a post-2014 presence.”
Earlier in the day, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai said during his address to Loya Jirga, or grand council, that the BSA would be signed by the Afghan government after the presidential election.
On Friday, his spokesman, Aimal Faizi, reiterated Karzai’s stance on the issue, saying, "Security, peace and good elections are key to the signing of the BSA.”
"Let's wait and see what will the Loya Jirga decide on the document. If approved, as the president said, it will be signed after elections,” Faizi added.
Loya Jirga is Afghanistan’s assembly of some 2,500 tribal elders and political leaders from across the country who have gathered in the capital Kabul to discuss the BSA.
People in Afghanistan will go to the polls on April 5, 2014, to elect a successor to Karzai.
Under the BSA, US troops would be allowed to remain in Afghanistan beyond the 2014 deadline.
Kabul has agreed to US military operations under special circumstances and American troops' immunity from prosecution in Afghanistan.
Anti-US sentiments have been on the rise in Afghanistan due to the deadly raids carried out by the US and other foreign troops in the war-torn country.
Afghans have also held several demonstrations against the security deal with the United States.
MR/SS
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