By refusing to accept the decision of the loya jirga President Hamid Karzai has put a question mark on the US-Afghan Bilateral Security Arrangement (BSA). Killid reporters talked to a cross-section of people for their views.
By refusing to accept the decision of the loya jirga President Hamid Karzai has put a question mark on the US-Afghan Bilateral Security Arrangement (BSA). Killid reporters talked to a cross-section of people for their views.The three-day jirga convened by the president on Nov 21 was inconclusive. The chairperson of the jirga, Sebghatullah Mojaddedi reported there was near unanimity in the views of the heads of all 50 committees. They all said yes to the BSA and suggested only few amendments. However, the president in his closing speech threw the debate wide open by saying the agreement should be signed only after the presidential election due to take place in April next year.
A peeved White House has reacted to the delay. A spokesman, Jay Carney, is quoted in the media saying, “We have submitted our final offer on the text … We hope the jirga is not left to think we are open to rewriting it (BSA)”.
Sources at the US Embassy in Kabul speculate that the outcome of the April 5 elections will lead to a second round and a new Afghan president is unlikely to take over before September 2014.
President Karzai has already introduced new terms into the discussion. “Americans starting from today may not conduct operations in our houses,” he told jirga delegates.
He also demanded the US government assure “fair elections”.
Members of the National Assembly are divided on the new controversy over the BSA, which governs the deployment of US troops and bases in Afghanistan from January 2015.
For and against
Those opposed to the president think he is bargaining for more favours. Nesar Hares, member of the upper house, says, “The leaders should respect the decisions of the loya jirga to prevent the escalation of differences.”
Hedayatullah Rehayee, another member, believes the president is not “respecting the loya jirga”. It was the second convened by Karzai on the bilateral military agreement with the US, which is now officially called the Security and Defence Agreement. “He has insulted 2,500 people who had gathered in the jirga,” says Rehayee.
Daud Asas, of the upper house,blames Karzai for giving the US the impression that it can influence the government. “When President Karzai says peace and holding the elections are in the hands of America, it makes America think it is powerful, and it can pressure the Afghan government to sign the pact.”
Asas says Karzai should make his stand clear, or it could jeopardise Afghanistan’s future.
Honesty of intentions
Is the US interested in remaining in Afghanistan only to counter terrorism? Opinion is divided.
Abdul Qayum Sajadi, member of parliament (MP) from Ghazni, believes the main point of the US’ proposed military pact with Afghanistan is to counter terrorism honestly, and bring peace and stability to the country.
Kabir Ranjbar, a political expert and lawyer, also considers the BSA beneficial to the country. According to him, “some of our neighbours were importers of terrorism. Signing this pact we will have a strong counterpart in the region. It has many advantages for Afghanistan.”
There are as many voices against the BSA. Belqis Roshan, member of the upper house, who spoke on the opening day of the loya jirga warned that those who “sign the pact in fact (will) sell their country”.
The Taleban also released a statement calling the loya jirga an “assembly held just for the benefit of America”.
“All those who have participated in loya jirga are governmental people and salary-takers of the government. They had no liberty in the decision making,” the statement read.
The Taleban claimed the signing of the agreement would make it stronger and unite the various factions of anti-government fighters. “American bases will turn into graveyards in Afghanistan,” it warned.
Karzai referred to voices of disapproval from among the people on the last day of the jirga when he said in his concluding speech, “All Afghan people have not given their consent to the signing of the security agreement”.
Abdul Satar Khawasi, MP from Parwan, described the BSA as “contrary to Quran’s orders”. “Respect for Islamic values” was the most common suggestion made by the jirga committees.
Khawasi was convinced the agreement diluted national sovereignty. By retaining criminal jurisdiction over its forces the US was ensuring the perpetrators of crimes in Afghanistan would be tried only in US courts.
Sign or resign
Has the president simply passed the buck?
Loya jirga chairman Mojaddedi said the BSA should be signed now. Karzai should take responsibility.
Fawzia Arzo, a resident of Kabul, thinks the stability of the country is at stake. “People would feel more sure (about the future) and not at risk when we have strong partners at the international level. But Karzai wants to create doubts in the minds of people,” she fears.
Fawzia has strong views on the president’s vacillating stand on the BSA. She believes that if the government cannot take a decision on an issue that affects the destiny of the people, the best way would be for the president to resign. The responsibility can pass on to someone else.
