| Submit your comments on this article |
| Afghanistan |
| NATO Says Financial Support Contingent on BSA |
| 2014-09-05 |
| [Tolo News] NATO ...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Originally it was a mutual defense pact directed against an expansionist Soviet Union. In later years it evolved into a mechanism for picking the American pocket while criticizing the cut of the American pants... Secretary Gen. AndersFogh Rasmussen said that the continuation of international financial aid for the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) could depend on the presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan after 2014, which, in turn, depends on whether or not the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) with Washington is signed. Rasmussen's comments came in an exclusive interview with TOLOnews, which took place in Wales, Britannia, at the start of a two-day NATO summit. The western military alliance's combat mission in Afghanistan will end in December, and its top leaders have said any continued support for the Afghan forces is contingent on relations between Afghanistan and the United States. "International financing of the ANSF will be closely linked to a continued international presence in Afghanistan," said Rasmussen. "I am concerned that if we are not able to deploy a training mission after 2014 that might also put the international financing of the ANSF in jeopardy." Bismillah Mohammadi, the Minister of Defense, is representing Afghanistan at the NATO summit instead of the new Afghan president, as the election process remains ongoing. Last month, there was some hope a winning candidate would emerge by the time the summit began, which could allow the BSA to be finalized and give NATO leaders the solid footing they need to discuss plans for post-2014 Afghanistan. Both candidates have promised to sign the agreement, despite current President Hamid Maybe I'll join the TalibanKarzai ... A former Baltimore restaurateur, now 12th and current President of Afghanistan, displacing the legitimate president Rabbani in December 2004. He was installed as the dominant political figure after the removal of the Taliban regime in late 2001 in a vain attempt to put a Pashtunface on the successor state to the Taliban. After the 2004 presidential election, he was declared president regardless of what the actual vote count was. He won a second, even more dubious, five-year-term after the 2009 presidential election. His grip on reality has been slipping steadily since around 2007, probably from heavy drug use... 's objections to it. But Rasmussen, like other international military and civil leaders have, expressed concern ...meaning the brow was mildly wrinkled, the eyebrows drawn slightly together, and a thoughtful expression assumed, not that anything was actually done or indeed that any thought was actually expended... s about the ongoing election, which has seen its share of ups and downs over the long five month haul it has taken. "I am very concerned about the protracted presidential electoral process and I urge both candidates to do their utmost to ensure the completion of the presidential electoral process." The NATO General reaffirmed the international community's commitment to Afghanistan, but said ultimately implementation would depend on the will of Afghans. This year's election process, which began by being celebrated by Afghans around the country who turned out in record numbers to vote, has gradually become a subject of great anxiety and despair. The election is often blamed for the worsening security and economic situation the country has seen over the past couple months. Everyday Afghans, like leaders of the international community, have called on the candidates to overcome their differences for the sake of stability. Said Agha, a resident of Kabul, said he hoped the candidates would ultimately act in the people's best interests. "My request for both of the candidates is that they set aside their disagreements and think of the people and their worsening condition." |
| Posted by:Fred |