The gathering, known as the Loya Jirga, had been convened by the president to debate the pact which outlines the legal terms of continued US military presence in Afghanistan. It voted in favour and advised Karzai sign it promptly.
But Karzai, in his final remarks to the four-day meeting, said he would not sign it until after a presidential election due next April.
‘If there is no peace, then this agreement will bring misfortune to Afghanistan,’ he said. ‘Peace is our precondition. America should bring us peace and then we will sign it.’ The president did not elaborate, but has previously said a free and fair vote is needed to guarantee peace in the country and his spokesman later said Karzai had not changed his mind. As the meeting ended, assembly chairman Sibghatullah Mojeddedi told Karzai, ‘If you don’t sign it, we will be disappointed.’ Karzai responded ‘Fine!’ and left the stage. Failure to clinch the deal could mean a full US pullout, leaving Afghanistan to fight the Taliban insurgency on its own. US troops have been in Afghanistan since leading a drive to remove the Taliban in late 2001. US officials, including Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, said the deal must be signed by year-end to begin preparations for a post-2014 presence.
Kerry said in a statement that the Loya Jirga’s endorsement was a ‘compelling affirmation’ and urged a signing of the agreement in ‘short order.’ In his remarks, Karzai acknowledged there was little trust between him and US leaders while saying signing the pact was broadly in Afghanistan’s interests.
Backing from the Jirga, handpicked by his administration, had been widely expected. Most speakers were muted in their criticism of the thorniest issues in the document, including a US request for immunity for its troops from Afghan law.
But Karzai, in his final remarks to the four-day meeting, said he would not sign it until after a presidential election due next April.
‘If there is no peace, then this agreement will bring misfortune to Afghanistan,’ he said. ‘Peace is our precondition. America should bring us peace and then we will sign it.’ The president did not elaborate, but has previously said a free and fair vote is needed to guarantee peace in the country and his spokesman later said Karzai had not changed his mind. As the meeting ended, assembly chairman Sibghatullah Mojeddedi told Karzai, ‘If you don’t sign it, we will be disappointed.’ Karzai responded ‘Fine!’ and left the stage. Failure to clinch the deal could mean a full US pullout, leaving Afghanistan to fight the Taliban insurgency on its own. US troops have been in Afghanistan since leading a drive to remove the Taliban in late 2001. US officials, including Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, said the deal must be signed by year-end to begin preparations for a post-2014 presence.
Kerry said in a statement that the Loya Jirga’s endorsement was a ‘compelling affirmation’ and urged a signing of the agreement in ‘short order.’ In his remarks, Karzai acknowledged there was little trust between him and US leaders while saying signing the pact was broadly in Afghanistan’s interests.
Backing from the Jirga, handpicked by his administration, had been widely expected. Most speakers were muted in their criticism of the thorniest issues in the document, including a US request for immunity for its troops from Afghan law.