World

Karzai in talks with US on permanent Afghan bases

Karzai has insisted that Afghanistan would have the final say on whether such bases would be allowed or not.

Afp February 08, 2011

KABUL: Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on Tuesday that he was in talks with the United States about the possible establishment of permanent US military bases in his war-ravaged country.

"From the statements made by US officials, US senators to the media and from what they have told us, yes, they have this desire," Karzai said.

However, Karzai has insisted that Afghanistan would have the final say on whether such bases would be allowed or not.

In January, influential US senator Lindsey Graham had reportedly suggested permanent US bases in Afghanistan. At that time, Karzai's spokesman Waheed Omer said the issue had not been discussed with the United States.

The US embassy in Kabul referred media queries on the issue to the US-led NATO military in Afghanistan, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), was not immediately available for comment.

There are around 140,000 international troops and two-thirds of them from the United States which are fighting Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan.

Afghan forces are due to take responsibility for security from 2014, allowing international troops to pull back.

COMMENTS (1)

G.Din | 13 years ago | Reply The best solution to the Afghan imbroglio is to divide it into two states, north and the south. The tribes in the north are far better placed temperamentally to start stable, peaceful lives and they have the best relations with their neighours to the north and India. Let the wild Pushtuns continue with their fanatic hotheadedness along with their neighour and patron Pakistan. It is the same between Kurds of the north and Shias/Sunnis of the south in Iraq. Sooner or later, Kurds should also have their own country to pursue peaceful lives and let the others simmer!

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