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 Karzai was in New Delhi in a burst of regional diplomacy as his
ties with Washington have come under renewed strain over his refusal
to sign the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) that will shape U.S.
military presence in Afghanistan beyond 2014 when most international
troops will leave.
He told reporters that the United States would have to stop the
practice of raiding Afghan homes and help restart a peace process
with the Taliban as necessary conditions for the security pact.
"We do believe that the BSA is in the interest of Afghanistan and
the Afghan people have given their approval. But we also believe
that protection of Afghan homes and the launch of a peace process
are absolute pre-requisites," he said.
If Karzai doesn't sign the deal, Washington says it will have to
withdraw its entire force of some 44,500 troops by the end of 2014.
Other NATO nations could follow suit leaving Afghan forces to fight
the Taliban insurgency on their own.
The complete withdrawal, called the "zero option", would be similar
to the pull-out of U.S. troops from Iraq two years ago. Violence
there is now at its highest level in at least five years, and more
than 8,000 people have been killed this year, the United Nations
says.
"I don't think America is thinking of the zero option , its
brinkmanship they play with us, and even if they did, then come what
may," the Afghan leader said.
U.S. officials have appeared exasperated by Karzai's stance on the
security agreement, which they say is needed to help them plan a
future mission that will assist Afghan forces fight militants and
that will allow for future aid crucial for the impoverished nation.
U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, James
Dobbins told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week that
the delay in finalizing the deal — which U.S. officials had hoped
Karzai would sign weeks ago — would impose "damages and costs" on
Afghans.
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But he added that the Obama administration was not on the verge of
abandoning its effort to extend its troop presence in the country.
The security agreement would allow for the presence of nearly 15,000
U.S. and other NATO troops at nine locations around the country,
Karzai said.
The agreement includes a provision allowing military raids on Afghan
homes in exceptional circumstances — when an American life is
directly under threat — but it would not take effect until 2015.
The issue is particularly sensitive among Afghans after a dozen
years of war between Afghan and foreign forces and Taliban
militants.
Karzai said he also wanted the United States to help him start an
open and public peace process with the Taliban, rather than the
secret diplomacy it had engaged in the past.
"Secret talks won't help. U.S. and Pakistan have enough influence
over the Taliban to relaunch the peace process."
Karzai, who discussed the U.S. security deal with Indian Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh, has also held talks with the leaders of
Iran and Pakistan this month.
(Reporting by Sanjeev Miglani; editing by Nick Macfie)
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