Long shadow of politics

Powerful voices have been raised against the strategic pact with the US in the past two weeks.
Afghanistan and its biggest ally signed a long-term strategic treaty last year, but the security pact governing the presence of US troops

Powerful voices have been raised against the strategic pact with the US in the past two weeks.
Afghanistan and its biggest ally signed a long-term strategic treaty last year, but the security pact governing the presence of US troops in the country after the pullout in 2014 is still to be decided.
“We should not sign a treaty by which we would remain dependent … have no other option but to accept foreigners. We should not sign this pact,” Minister of Water and Energy Ismail Khan told hundreds of supporters at the Jalaluddin Hall in Herat on the ninth death anniversary of his son, who was the minister of civil aviation when he was killed in 2004.
He accused the US-led international forces of creating dependency. “The external forces have no plans at all to equip Afghan military forces with modern weapons, the fact can be found through statements of American authorities and the old weapons with Afghan army,” he said.
Former member of parliament Hajji Farid of the National Unity Front (NUF) told a press conference that the complete withdrawal of foreign troops by 2016 and the formation of an interim government was the only way to restore peace and hold a transparent election. Presidential elections are scheduled April 5th next year.
“If (the) international community really wants to save Afghanistan from (the) evil of terrorism, it should withdraw its forces from Afghanistan,” he said.
NUF spokesperson Wahid Muzhda told reporters the continued presence in Afghanistan of foreign forces must be prevented and opposed.
In his opinion Karzai should restrain from entering into a security treaty with the US to assert national sovereignty and open the way for internal negotiations for peace and development among the rival factions in Afghanistan.
Public opinion and civil society favour a strong ally for Afghanistan. Anwar Matin, political expert, says the gains made in education, media, and women’s rights particularly have been immense since 2001.
Fardin, a resident of Herat, believes Ismail Khan must concern himself only with his ministry and not make pronouncements on foreign policy.
Arefullah Pashton, the chairman of international relations in the Meshrano Jirga, believes Afghanistan needs a strong ally who will “defend” the country against “interference” from its neighbours.