National security adviser Hanif Atmar and US Ambassador James Cunningham signed the bilateral security agreement in a televised ceremony at the presidential palace, one day after Ghani was inaugurated.
"As an independent country ... we signed this agreement for stability, goodwill, and prosperity of the our people, stability of the region and the world," Ghani said in a speech after the signing.
- Ghani's predecessor, Hamid Karzai, had long refused to agree to the deal, souring his ties with the United States. Karzai cited his anger over civilian deaths and his belief that the war was not fought in the interests of his country.
"It is a choice by the United States to continue cooperating with our Afghan partners on two important security missions: training and equipping Afghan forces and supporting cooperation against terrorism," Cunningham said.
[jpost.com]
30/9/14
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NATO to discuss use of Georgian territory for Afghanistan withdrawal
Afghanistan: le bilan s'alourdit à 21 morts dans l'attaque d'un restaurant à Kaboul/21 Dead In Attack On Kabul Restaurant (video R)
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President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai set the tone for the new Afghan government as he oversaw the signing ceremony of the much debated bilateral security agreement with the U.S. on his second day in office on Tuesday....
ReplyDeleteThe pact allows the presence of a residual American force, numbered at around 10,000 in Afghanistan beyond 2014 when NATO’s combat mission ends in the war-torn country.
Additionally on Tuesday, the new government of national unity inked a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with NATO.
Hanif Atmar, former Afghan interior minister, who has recently been assigned the post of National Security Advisor, signed the vital security accords with U.S. Ambassador James B. Cunningham and NATO’s Senior Civilian Representative Maurits R. Jochems.
The Afghan president, his Chief Executive Officer Abdullah, the two vice-presidents, cabinet members and other notable Afghan leaders were also present at the signing ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, President Ghani said Afghanistan would maintain its complete sovereignty under the deal aimed at ensuring the country’s security and warding off threats.
“The Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) is in the best interest for peace in Afghanistan, the region and the world at large," he said, insisting the agreement would help strengthen Afghan security forces.
He assured the nation that nighttime raids and civilian house searches would end, as international troops prepare to draw down.
CEO Abdullah also hailed the agreement signing as a giant step towards stability in the country. "The well-deliberated deals were signed after long discussions based on Afghanistan’s security requirements," he remarked.
Abdullah believed the step would have positive effects on the overall security environment in Afghanistan and the wider region and he predicted that the people would soon realize the significance of the pacts...................http://www.aa.com.tr/en/news/397641--ghani-signs-security-agreement-with-us
2 suicide bomber attacks in Kabul kill 7, wound 21....
ReplyDeleteKABUL: Afghan police say two suicide bombers in the capital have targeted two buses carrying Afghan army troops, killing seven and wounding 21 people.
Kabul criminal investigation police chief Mohammad Farid Afzali says first attacker Wednesday morning hit a bus with Afghan National Army officers, killing seven and wounding 15 in west Kabul.
The second attacker, who was also on foot, blew himself up in front of a second bus in northeast Kabul, wounding additional army personnel.
Taliban spokesman Zabiullha Mhujahid has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/2-suicide-bomber-attacks-in-Kabul-kill-7-wound-21/articleshow/43962517.cms
1/10/14