Karzai welcomes, Taliban oppose Obama’s decision of keeping US troops till 2016

Afghan presidential hopeful Dr Abdullah calls for a ‘responsible’ exit strategy.

ISLAMABAD: President Barack Obama’s announcement this week that 9,800 US troops would remain in Afghanistan until 2016 only if the Afghan government signs the bilateral security agreement has been hailed by the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan both.

The Taliban, however, have condemned President Obama’s plan and termed it an “aggressive move for the religious, national and human rights of freedom-loving Afghans”.

Reacting quickly to the American president’s revelation, the Taliban issued a statement saying their armed struggle would continue till the last US soldier leaves the country.

“We consider the White House comments stating they would extend the invasion till 2016 as a shameful act and all nations that favour independence must strongly condemn it,” the statement read.

“The stance of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has always been clear and we reiterate that Jihad is obligatory against US troops till the time they are on our land,” it stated further.

President Hamid Karzai, who refused to meet Obama during his visit to the country this week on Memorial Day, has welcomed the news.

“The United States announced that, within a schedule, it will reduce to zero the number of its combat troops in Afghanistan. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan welcomes this decision,” read a statement from Karzai’s palace hours after Obama’s announcement.

“The end to US military presence and the takeover by Afghan forces of all security responsibilities was the main desire of the president, the government and the people of Afghanistan,” it stated.

President Karzai called on the “government’s armed opponents” to avail this historic opportunity made possible by immense efforts of the Afghan government and put an end to the war so the country can move towards peace and prosperity.

The government of Pakistan, badly affected by the war in Afghanistan, has also praised the US president’s decision.

“We have always advocated that a measured and planned drawdown would be far more favourable in ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan rather than a hasty, unplanned exit as was done decades ago,” said Tariq Fatemi, the premier’s special assistant on foreign affairs, when asked to react on President Obama’s announcement.

Pakistani analysts believe President Obama is merely keeping the promise he made during his election campaign of pulling out of the war in Afghanistan.

“I think with a president who committed to his voters that he will get America out of two wars, Obama is standing by his pledge. He got troops out of Iraq and now he has provided Americans with a timeline of withdrawing from Afghanistan,” said Dr Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan’s former ambassador to Washington, while talking to The Express Tribune in Islamabad.

“It shouldn’t come as a surprise for anyone as the decision reflects wishes of the American public. The US Congress, government and the public all feel that America’s longest war has cost the country in many ways and what has been achieved is all the US could have done,” she explained.

Afghanistan’s key presidential hopeful, Dr Abdullah Abdullah, came up with a cautious response to the announcement and called for a “responsible” exit strategy.

“What is important for Afghanistan is the continuation of cooperation. Some details of the plan still have to be made clear,” he told FRANCE 24 in an interview shortly after President Obama’s announcement.

President Obama’s statement comes at a time when Afghans, in a couple of weeks, will be voting in the presidential election runoff between Abdullah and Dr Ashraf Ghani.

As Afghan forces become completely responsible for securing the country, it would be difficult if the Taliban do not come to the negotiation table. Many Afghans also believe the ‘Jihad’ would be weakened if the Taliban continue to fight against the government following the withdrawal of US troops.

Pakistan, whose role is considered important in encouraging the Taliban to end the war and announce a ceasefire, would also be under pressure to play an active role to push the peace process.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2014.