Afghan Elders Endorse U.S. Troops’ Presence But President Karzai Still Refuses To Sign

[Purveyor]

Source: Washington Post

By Tim Craig, Updated: Sunday, November 24, 3:16 PM

KABUL — An emotional showdown between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and 2,500 tribal elders here on Sunday ended with some — but not all — of what the United States was hoping for.

The elders endorsed an agreement under which the United States will continue to provide advice and training to Afghan security forces, and conduct counterterrorism operations, after the withdrawal of international combat forces at the end of next year. Although President Obama has yet to indicate the size of a potential post-2014 force, most estimates are that it would include up to 10,000 troops.

Delegates said it was in Afghanistan’s “vital national interest” to have a partnership with the United States, and urged Karzai not to delay the signing of the bilateral security agreement until after the country holds elections in April.

“President Karzai should promise us, he should sign the [agreement] as soon as possible,” said Sibghatullah Mojadidi, the former Afghan president who chaired the four-day gathering, known as a loya jirga. “This agreement will be beneficial for the people.”

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/afghan-assembly-of-leaders-endorses-us-troops-presence-karzai-refuses-to-sign/2013/11/24/ac29b6f2-550a-11e3-bdbf-097ab2a3dc2b_story.html

[penndragon69]

1. FUCK EM !

Let them eat dirt and be ruled by IDIOTS....WE'RE outta there !

[seabeckind]

2. When the hell does THIS elder get a say?! n/t

[grandpamike1]

3. It is sad

That American lives have to be put in jeopardy to shore up the corrupt Karzai regime. We never seem to learn, do we ?

[LTG]

4. 10 more years?

According to the article, this Bi-lateral agreement would commit US troops to 10 more years in Afghanistan.

As the last couple of years have shown us, training and security troops face sudden danger and death, just like "combat troops". The counter-terrorism operations sound a lot like combat too. Of course they probably won't be under DOD command, they'll be on loan to the CIA, presto change-o no longer combat troops either.

I guess as long as we designate them as non-combat troops their deaths don't count.

[EX500rider]

5. He'll sign....no way he wouldn't...walk away from all that loot?!?!

....he just has no reason not to hold out to the last second and get all the concessions he can from Uncle Money Bags.

[Comrade Grumpy]

6. The nerve of that guy. Demanding that US troops not raid Afghan homes.