Karzai backtracks on controversial Pakistan remarks
The presidential palace said Karzai's comments, made in an interview with private Pakistani television station Geo over the weekend, were "misinterpreted".
Karzai has said that his country would support Pakistan if it was attacked by either the US or India.
"God forbid, if any time war erupts between Pakistan and America, Afghanistan will side with Pakistan," Karzai reportedly said in an interview aired late Saturday.
The prospect of all-out conflict between the US and Pakistan remains remote, despite strained relations in recent months, following the killing of Osama bin Laden by US commandos in a secret raid in a Pakistani garrison town.
Nevertheless the comments raised eyebrows among Western officials in Kabul allied to the 10-year campaign to keep the Taliban from returning to power.
Christopher Chambers, a NATO spokesman, told reporters in Kabul that "we all need to focus on much wider dialogue that's required for peace and which the people of both countries mostly certainly want and certainly deserve."
The palace insisted the remarks were broadcast out of context.
"Pakistani media has misinterpreted it," said the president's deputy spokesman Seyamak Herawi.
"They only showed the first part when the president says Afghanistan will back Pakistan if there is a war."
Instead, the reference was to Afghanistan's willingness to house refugees from Pakistan in case of any conflict, in the way that millions of Afghans are given refuge across the border in Pakistan's northwestern frontier region.
"But in connection with the war on terrorism if there is a war on Pakistan, Afghanistan will not support that," he further stated.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been long-tested, with Karzai recently accusing his neighbour of playing a "double-game" with Afghan insurgents fighting the US-led war effort who hold bases across the border.
In the Geo interview, Karzai also sought to assuage Pakistani fears over US influence in the region following the drawdown of Western combat forces by the end of 2014 and restated his conditions for a long term US partnership.
Afghanistan's conditions for a US deal include that American troops must not enter Afghan homes, implying that they should end controversial night raids in pursuit of Taliban targets that have caused many civilian casualties.
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@Aadersh: I don't think that in any case Afghan Leadership is childish than any Pakistani or Indian leadership, Pakistani leadership sucks to make good decision or let me rephrase it to you they can not make even a simple decision..
After watching the Interview myself, I totally agree with you, I think he send a straight message to Pakistani people, he said that If America or India attack Pakistan then if Pakistani people ask the support of Afghanistan we will be there for them. We will accept their refugees in our country, and will support them in any matter, he did not said a single word that we will support Pakistani terrorist establishment and he should not. I don't think there is anything wrong with his interview,
@Hamid: i loved your comment. hahahahahaha
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: And who will oppose US in the III WW? What drug are you taking? Was it halal?
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: Then I would suggest we all die because the need has come, but not by bombing other nations by committing mass suicide. We have become the pain for the world and hence we should take your suggestion.
he is a puppet so guys don't mind what says.
Poor Karzai. On one day he gets slapped by Pakistan to give comments in our favour and the next day, NATO/ISAF slap him to take his words back.
It's the circle! The circle of life! :p
What!! You expect refugees (in case a war does happen) to go to Afghanistan where the "fertile lands" grow opium instead of wheat!! There is nothing in Afghanistan brother! Thats why your people need Pakistan more than we need you. I think with all your wise * you finally realized that being a part of proxy war against Pakistan by India or US would result in a greater loss to Afghans than to Pakistanis!!
This same guy was a refugee in Quetta back in mid to late 90s. I met him several times during late afternoon walks in Quetta Cantt. He was all for Pakistan at the time. Probably because he was granted asylum and in the best part of the city. Even the word "hypocrite" ain't enough for this lad.
@MarkH No one is being surprised here. We have a local saying ' a smart enemy is better than an idiot friend" Americans are stuck with this bipolar idiot not us. Infact there is a joke that is already doing rounds that Karza is well capable of also saying that in case war breaks out between Afghanistan and Pakistan, he will support Pakistan.
Well done ,You are a seasonrned politician ,You can deal with Pakistan successfully ,
@Aadersh: Wow, just like Pakistan "handled" India so well during the last 4 wars!
Get rid of all Afghan refugees from Pakistan. Saving Afghanistan from Russian occupation was the start of all of th e present problems in Pakistan. Re-look at the ATT agreement and make it more realist to protect interest of Pakistan and not smugglers.
Mr Mayor............................. you spoke like the Mayor of Chicago back from when...............
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: Third world war because of something happening to Pakistan? Yeah... No. Seriously, someone needs to tell you the truth of the world outside before you all take up your slingshots and then get stepped on. You see, world wars are created by conflicts and alliances of actual substance on topics of actual world concern. Such as the slaughter of real innocents or more superficially, economic disasters. Pakistan supports the first and are a complete non-entity in the second. Realistically, all you'd have is verbal support and even they could not stand behind you 100% because of having to admit the problems you bring to everyone you come contact with. The world isn't made of fools. There's a reason you're bordering on outcast status and it's nobody's fault but your own and there's not a single country that would allow themselves to be seen supporting the things that have caused it. You just have neighbors trying to be neighborly. Mixed in that, you have a whole lot of your own people gunning for you. You'll implode before you ever become truly important if you don't wake up.
Hahaha everyone knew he would backtrack! Mr Karzai! Even if you support us or not, it wont matter, I mean, support us with what? You have an Army? No. You have finance? No. You have Air Force? No. You only have Taliban. Please mind your own business and don't interfere in ours. Thats the biggest support you can give.
Karzai only want to tell the Pakistan that 'why you invest somuch money on Taliban for your strategic depth' I offer you free of cost. (This piece already being enjoyed by Taliban) Pls go after them. No more no less. If you suceed....
pls start reading once again from top of this News column...
We dont need your help, we are fully capable of defending ourselves.
Already!!
This guy just looks and speaks like Karzai, mayor of Kabul district
Karzai, the president, and our Afghan friends should not forget that Pakistan saved their country from disintegration.
Afghanistan needs Pakistan. It will , therefore, be in her own interest to create perfect understanding between the two countries. Their actions should speak louder than their words.
Changezi
Even going by the original distorted story, Karzai did not mention India, but news reports added India into it anyway !
Karzai has said that his country would support Pakistan if it was attacked by either the US or India.
“God forbid, if any time war erupts between Pakistan and America, Afghanistan will side with Pakistan,” Karzai reportedly said in an interview aired late Saturday.
hehe..he prolly read all our comments on express tribune and thought "wth! these guys think they can do without my support.so be it then!"
guys! i think we have just shot ourselves in the foot ;p NOT
Well watever...his fate will be similar to Qaddafi's...anyone who has backing of the USA will end up like Saddam and Qaddafi..
This man has no substance, at least I wouldn’t believe any word which comes out from his mouth.
this guy is bipolar..and so full of it its not even funny.
Karzai (the mayor of kabul), we don't need you support even if we misinterpret it.
Typical Karzai.
"Instead, the reference was to Afghanistan’s willingness to house refugees from Pakistan in case of any conflict, in the way that millions of Afghans are given refuge across the border in Pakistan’s northwestern frontier region"
No thanks. Pakistanis ain't going over to live in stone age Afghanistan. There are still no large number of Pakistani refugees in Afghanistan as compared to Afghans in Pakistan. The greatest favour that Karzai can do is take back his own Afghan refugees and stop worrying about Pakistanis. We've been living through thick and thin and will continue to do so. We are not like Afghans who run into other peoples countries.
Haha...I didn't know Afghan leadership is so childish... Anyway we can handle both India & US alone...don't really need your support..
@Cautious
Mr. Krazai is pure pragmatist and he has sharp nose. He has sensed what is in pipeline. However, even if we like somebody or not, issue at hand is to play safe and help US led ISAF get out of Afghanistan and achieve the objective of stable Afghanistan. We need an Afghanistan which does not have fertile land for extremists and criminals, which offers us safe conduit towards Central Asia and which is integral part of viable new Silk Road. We will have to rise above the sentiments. If Mr. Karazai is helpful, he should be part of the plan.
I predict a mass amount of sarcastic claims of being surprised are on their way.
He probably woke up the next morning and discovered his American bodyguards had taken the day off ---- Karzai is well known for sticking his foot in his mouth.