World

U.S. and Afghanistan Reach Strategic Agreement

(The Blaze/AP) — The U.S. and Afghanistan reached a deal Sunday on a long-delayed strategic partnership agreement that ensures Americans will provide military and financial support to the Afghan people for at least a decade beyond 2014, the deadline for most foreign forces to withdraw.

The pact is key to the U.S. exit strategy in Afghanistan because it establishes guidelines for any American forces who remain after the withdrawal deadline and for financial help to the impoverished country and its security forces.

For the Afghan government, it is also a way to show its people that their U.S. allies are not just walking away.

“Our goal is an enduring partnership with Afghanistan that strengthens Afghan sovereignty, stability and prosperity and that contributes to our shared goal of defeating al-Qaida and its extremist affiliates,” said U.S. Embassy spokesman Gavin Sundwall. “We believe this agreement supports that goal.”

After 10 years of U.S.-led war, insurgents linked to the Taliban and al-Qaida remain a threat and as recently as a week ago launched a large-scale attack on the capital Kabul and three other cities.U.S. and Afghanistan Reach Strategic Pact for Future

The draft agreement was worked out and initialed by Afghan National Security Adviser Rangin Dadfar Spanta and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker. It must still be reviewed in both countries and signed afterward by the Afghan and American presidents.

U.S. forces have already started pulling out of Afghanistan, and the majority of combat troops are scheduled to depart by the end of 2014. But the U.S. is expected to maintain a large presence in the country for years after, including special forces, military trainers and government-assistance programs.

The agreement is both an achievement and a relief for both sides, coming after months of turmoil that seemed to put the entire alliance in peril. It shows that the two governments are still committed to working together and capable of coming to some sort of understanding.

“The document finalized today provides a strong foundation for the security of Afghanistan, the region and the world and is a document for the development of the region,” Spanta said in a statement issued by President Hamid Karzai’s office.

Neither Afghan nor U.S. officials would comment on the details of the agreement. A Western official familiar with the negotiations said it outlines a strategic partnership for 10 years beyond 2014.

Reaching any agreement is likely to be seen as a success given more than a year and a half of negotiations during which the entire effort appeared in danger of falling apart multiple times.

Since the beginning of the year, U.S.-Afghan relations have been strained by an Internet video of American Marines urinating on the corpses of presumed Taliban fighters, by Quran burnings at a U.S. base that sparked days of deadly protests and by the alleged killing spree by a U.S. soldier in a southern Afghan village.

Tensions were further heightened by a spate of turncoat attacks by Afghan security forces on their international counterparts.

White House National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said President Barack Obama expects to sign the document before a NATO summit in Chicago next month, meeting the deadline set by the two sides. Many had started to worry in recent weeks that Karzai and Obama would miss that goal as talks dragged on and Karzai continued to announce new demands for the document.

U.S. and Afghanistan Reach Strategic Pact for Future

(Photo: AP)

Much of the disagreement was about how to handle activities that the Afghan government saw as threatening its sovereignty, in particular, night raids and the detention of Afghan citizens by international forces. Those two major issues were resolved earlier this year in separate memorandums of understanding.

But closed-door talks continued for weeks after those side-deals were signed. And then as recently as last week, Karzai said that he wanted the agreement to include a dollar figure for funding for the Afghan security forces – a demand that would be hard for the Americans to sign off on given the need for congressional approval for funding. U.S. officials have said previously that they expected the document to address economic and development support for Afghanistan more generally.

The final document is likely to be short on specifics. U.S. officials involved in the negotiations have said previously that the strategic partnership will provide a framework for future relations, but that details of how U.S. forces operate in the country will come in a later agreement.

The initialing ceremony means that the text of the document is now locked in. But the countries will have to go through their own internal review processes, Sundwall said.

“For the United States, that will mean interagency review, consultation with Congress as appropriate and final review by the president,” Sundwall said.

In Afghanistan, the agreement will have to be approved by parliament. The Afghan foreign minister will brief Afghan lawmakers about the document Monday, the Afghan president’s statement said.

Comments (62)

  • Pro-Palin
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 11:07pm

    I really hoped things would work with this guy for them but he is just a political mobster. Extortion .. when will congress say enough or our people. We help them get on their feet and all the contracts go to china…. we should uhm u owe us ……. and this is how its going to roll for the next 10 yrs. Or we carpet bomb the whole country and get rid of you like we should have in the first place.

    Report Post » Pro-Palin  
  • kim
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 8:54am

    those people need to grow up and take care of themslef and send are loved ones home they neede to take care of theirselfs and let the us people come home

    Report Post »  
  • trueamerican40
    Posted on April 22, 2012 at 10:26pm

    It’s all about bankrupting us…9-11 was an attack on our economy. The muslim bastards know this and I know it too.

    Report Post » trueamerican40  
  • babylonvi
    Posted on April 22, 2012 at 10:11pm

    What, you didn’t think we would leave and put the opium crop in danger, did you?

    Report Post » babylonvi  
  • KidCharlemagne
    Posted on April 22, 2012 at 9:14pm

    Who else you gonna’ get to guard the drugs???:

    ——————————————–
    (FOX News Geraldo Rivera’s infamous interview in Afghanistan):

    “US Soldiers Help Afghan Farmers Grow Opium/Heroin”
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVp4883pmB4

    Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 9:56pm

      I thought we were actually there to Stop their Drug Production… as they are the Opium Center of the World… as nothing else grow on that god forsaken pile of rocks! Oh, well… if Tactics fail… call for Strategy!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • therealconservative
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 11:20pm

      Guess you didn’t watch the video. The Marines are trying to turn the farmers away from Opium. But I guess that would fit in with your agenda, would it.

      Report Post » therealconservative  
    • KidCharlemagne
      Posted on April 23, 2012 at 12:09am

      therealconservative
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 11:20pm

      Guess you didn’t watch the video. The Marines are trying to turn the farmers away from Opium.
      =====================================

      …..then they are doing an awfully bad job of it:

      —————————————–
      “Despite the expenditure of tens of billions of dollars in a conflict that has so far cost the lives of almost 3000 Coalition troops, including 32 Australians, production of the drug by Afghan farmers rose between 2001 and 2011 from just 185 tonnes to 5800 tonnes.

      It increased by 61 per cent last year alone.”
      http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/drug-war-in-afghanistan-a-lost-cause/story-e6frea6u-1226274264900

      Report Post »  
    • therealconservative
      Posted on April 23, 2012 at 8:43am

      @kid

      …..then they are doing an awfully bad job of it:

      Some how I get the feeling, as a former Marine, that you don’t have what it takes to tell the Marines in the Fox interview that.

      Report Post » therealconservative  
  • Abraham Young
    Posted on April 22, 2012 at 9:10pm

    READ THE CONSTITUTION.

    We don’t belong in the military empire building business.

    This is why I am not a Republican or Democrat any more. Both of y’all have sold us down the river.

    Report Post »  
    • Mutiny
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 9:23pm

      The one guy running for the office of the president that thinks that way is called crazy, kooky, a loon, dangerous, wacky, anti semetic, and he has his head in the sand. I will be voting for that man in November and you establishment folks have only yourselves to blame.

      Report Post » Mutiny  
    • lukerw
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 10:00pm

      Constitution is not on the Ballot. Your choice is between… Union/Socialist… and… Business/Progressive. It sucks; it is reality!

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • iono12345
    Posted on April 22, 2012 at 8:53pm

    @therealconservative
    @say

    BTW We were attcked on 9/11 and the U.S. Senate gave Pres. Bush the authorization (per the Constitution) to go to war. Oh and by the way the Senate did the same for Iraq.

    So in hind sight was our attack on Iraq a good idea, what did we gain…did we get a strategic strong hold in the middle east? Are we sharing in the oil revenues of their country….what did we gain other then pain and anguish….what did our enemy gain, a battle field in order to throw cannon fodder at us and hone their own warrior skills….we wage war with kit gloves…

    Personally after dropping the warrior mentality and bravado I took a step back. Now looking at the loss of friends and the debt to our nation I can no longer support our war machine that does nothing, but attempt to nation build with no benefit to the American people….it is all B.S. and Ron Paul is about the only sane one in the bunch….

    Report Post »  
    • Abraham Young
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 9:11pm

      Absolutely.

      Report Post »  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 9:11pm

      Actually, the agreement was financial. It was a bribe.

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
    • therealconservative
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 10:06pm

      Lets see first the Ron Paul “Followers” said Iraq was Unconstitutional now it‘s was it a good idea in ’hind sight’. You guy’s need to pick a idea and stick with it.

      And yes going into Iraq was justified. The end of the Gulf War was a ‘Cease Fiire’ agreement which Iraq violated almost daily for a decade. All of us who were in the military during the Gulf War knew we would have to go back to finish the job.

      Report Post » therealconservative  
  • therealconservative
    Posted on April 22, 2012 at 8:32pm

    Bellevue’s calling

    Report Post » therealconservative  
  • PoliticiansRCrooks
    Posted on April 22, 2012 at 8:20pm

    2014 … what about Now!!

    Report Post » PoliticiansRCrooks  
  • Saywhatonemoretime
    Posted on April 22, 2012 at 8:09pm

    Israel is finished, top brass KNOWS who did 911 pt 1
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFd-Wupvv04&feature=related

    Report Post » Saywhatonemoretime  
  • abbygirl1994
    Posted on April 22, 2012 at 7:44pm

    We cannot keep supporting the world.. especially those who hate us! Why is it always the American taxpayers problem to support those who should be paying us for their wars.. their corruption. I gaurantee you that the money given to Afghanistan never gets to the people, just the corrupt! And this government can’t get that We the People are tired of our money going to corruption! Lord help us!

    Report Post » abbygirl1994  
    • jhaydeng
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 9:01pm

      oh fuuudgee!!!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Mutiny
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 9:27pm

      And you are supporting a candidate that is going to continue the same path as Bush and Obama.

      Report Post » Mutiny  
    • lukerw
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 10:23pm

      As heard on the street of Colonial America… over 200 years ago!

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • davetrav
    Posted on April 22, 2012 at 7:42pm

    TRUST nothing guys, keep them loaded and safety off.

    Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 10:17pm

      Or… Trust in GOD… and pass the Ammunition!

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • VoteRightDammit
    Posted on April 22, 2012 at 7:14pm

    And in other news:

    “PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI ANNOUNCED HIS AMERICAN CONTROLLED DISTRIBUTION COMPANY WOULD BE MAKING A $10 MILLION DONATION TO THE RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN OF PRESIDENT OBAMA. KARZAI EMPHASIZED THE DONATION WAS IN NO WAY RELATED TO THE STRATEGIC AGREEMENT.”

    Report Post » VoteRightDammit  
  • recoveringneocon
    Posted on April 22, 2012 at 7:02pm

    I just happen to know 1 candidate running for President that would stop the Foreign Aid and bring home all these boys on the first day he held office.

    RON PAUL 2012

    Report Post » recoveringneocon  
    • therealconservative
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 7:27pm

      That’s because Ron Paul is a idiot and has never listened to a single briefing he has been given, in the last 20+ years.

      Report Post » therealconservative  
    • recoveringneocon
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 7:58pm

      Here are some other idiots.

      George Washington’s farewell address is often cited as laying the foundation for a tradition of American non-interventionism:
      The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves, by artificial ties, in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities.

      President Thomas Jefferson extended Washington’s ideas in his March 4, 1801 inaugural address: “peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.”

      In 1823, President James Monroe articulated what would come to be known as the Monroe Doctrine, which some have interpreted as non-interventionist in intent: “In the wars of the European powers, in matters relating to themselves, we have never taken part, nor does it comport with our policy, so to do. It is only when our rights are invaded, or seriously menaced that we resent injuries, or make preparations for our defense.”

      Report Post » recoveringneocon  
    • therealconservative
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 8:02pm

      @say

      “Ron Paul is the only one to save us”. Kind of sounds like the mantra that the Obama “Follower” used in 2008, doesn’t it.

      BTW We were attcked on 9/11 and the U.S. Senate gave Pres. Bush the authorization (per the Constitution) to go to war. Oh and by the way the Senate did the same for Iraq.

      Report Post » therealconservative  
    • therealconservative
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 8:17pm

      @recover
      Washington on how to deal with an enemy:
      The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their houses and farms are to be pillaged and destroyed, and themselves consigned to a state of wretchedness from which no human efforts will deliver them. The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance, or the most abject submission. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.
      GEORGE WASHINGTON, address to the Continental Army before the battle of Long Island, Aug. 27, 1776

      Jefferson on how to deal with an enemy:
      Barbery Wars

      Madison on how to deal with an enemy:
      War on 1812

      Report Post » therealconservative  
    • Saywhatonemoretime
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 8:22pm

      i follow the ideas…
      ron paul is just a man.
      a man talking about the constitution,

      9/11 was inside/isreali job

      Report Post » Saywhatonemoretime  
    • Saywhatonemoretime
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 8:24pm

      yeah…you just keep believing that bs.

      i have facts backing up my statements…you have jack and shlt.

      Report Post » Saywhatonemoretime  
    • therealconservative
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 8:28pm

      @recover

      The ‘Monroe Doctrine’ was warning to the European country’s to stay out of the Western Hemisphere.

      Report Post » therealconservative  
    • therealconservative
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 8:35pm

      @say

      “9/11 was inside/isreali job”

      As one of my NCOIC’s was found of saying “Show me in writing”

      Report Post » therealconservative  
    • therealconservative
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 8:38pm

      @say

      Sorry you can’t use youtube vids. Show us concrete info.

      Report Post » therealconservative  
    • Abraham Young
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 9:12pm

      @REALCONSERVATIVE

      You are as PHONY as a Federal Reserve Note.

      Report Post »  
    • trueamerican40
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 10:17pm

      Noooo thankssss!

      Report Post » trueamerican40  
    • therealconservative
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 11:02pm

      @abraham

      care if give some proof that I’m PHONY, besides the standard Ron Paul ‘Follower’ answer (youtube or Ron Paul website)

      Report Post » therealconservative  
    • recoveringneocon
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 11:19pm

      Someone needs to explain to “therealfake” that this article is about the signing of another treaty and agreement with a foreign country. And for the first 140 years or so of our country our Founding Fathers and the Constitution kept us out of these entangling alliances. With a little reading of the Founding Fathers papers and the ability to stay on topic he may make sense.

      Report Post » recoveringneocon  
    • therealconservative
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 11:40pm

      @recover

      Maybe you should read a book or two, In the first 140 after the Constitution we had the Barbery Wars, War of 1812, Spanish American War and WW I, all with foreign enemies. No where in the Constitution does it state that going to war with an enemy is forbidden, nor did our Founders think it should be.

      With a little reading of the Founding Fathers and history maybe you would make a better argument and make sense.

      Report Post » therealconservative  
    • recoveringneocon
      Posted on April 23, 2012 at 8:49am

      @therealfake

      140 years and only 3 Wars? with Under 3000 U.S. Soldiers Killed. Thanks for making my point.
      Lets just take a look at the last 60 years of almost constant War.
      Korean War
      Vietnam War
      Bay of Pigs Invasion
      Grenada
      Lebanon
      Invasion of Panama
      Persian Gulf War
      Bosnia Herzegovina
      Kosovo
      Somalia
      Afghanistan
      Iraq
      Libya
      Well over 100,000 dead.

      Sorry if I missed a few.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y06NSBBRtY
      Eisenhower warning us of dangers of this.

      Report Post » recoveringneocon  
    • therealconservative
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:23am

      @recover

      Acutally I didn’t prove your point, I proved that you lied about the first 140 years of our history.

      BTW U.S. death toll for

      WW I – 116,708
      War of 1812 – 20,000
      Mexican American War – 13,283
      Spanish American War – 2,446

      There were alot more than 3 wars in the first 140 years

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_casualties_of_war

      Report Post » therealconservative  
    • recoveringneocon
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 9:42am

      @therealfake

      I was hoping you where not going to go here 1776 + 140 = 1916 We entered WW1 in 1917.
      You also added the column labeled “other” and did not just “Combat” Other can mean a lot of other things. Especially when you use Wiki. As for the number of Wars…. Sorry my fault, I was just using your numbers. After seeing your math skills I should have known better.

      Report Post » recoveringneocon  
  • The_Almighty_Creestof
    Posted on April 22, 2012 at 6:59pm

    Sounds like all we are going to do is bribe them to be “good little boys” when in reality, the second they get offered a dime more than we are giving by another power or get threatened…they’ll keep right on taking the cash while they go full blown jihad on us.

    Report Post »  
  • GoodStuff
    Posted on April 22, 2012 at 6:55pm

    I have no issue leaving special forces there to deal with the bad guys. But, ten of thousands of troops? No. And, Karzai has got to go!

    Report Post »  
  • FloridaFarmGirl
    Posted on April 22, 2012 at 6:54pm

    How much more is this going to cost us? No more troops or money!!

    Report Post »  
  • robert
    Posted on April 22, 2012 at 6:43pm

    I agree. When I see the guys on t.v. promoting the Wounded Warrior project, it angers me to know that these excellent soldiers had their arms and legs blown off because the corrupt Bush…and other politicians…. decided they needed to rebuild the nation to suit themselves.

    “Outlines a strategic partnership for 10 years beyond 2014”

    That will last about as long as it takes the hard-line Muslims to eventually get in control of the country again.

    Report Post »  
  • 321481
    Posted on April 22, 2012 at 6:17pm

    What is this, we were not married to Afghanistan, support sounds like a divorce settlement, no way, they are a full grown country, they can just be a grown up and face life as an independent country like other countries. They want to be independent of us, so be independent in every way!

    Report Post »  
    • Ivehadenoughtofthisgovenmentcrap
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 6:31pm

      A men !!! Bring the boys home….. God Bless America !

      Report Post » Ivehadenoughtofthisgovenmentcrap  
    • CatB
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 6:49pm

      I understand that the other countries who have been assisting us .. have decided to pull out

      TIME FOR US TO BRING THE TROOPS HOME and NOT ANOTHER DIME!

      Sorry to yell but they seem to be DEAF in Washington D.C.

      Report Post »  
    • justangry
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 7:18pm

      We’re already letting them keep their herion money.

      Report Post » justangry  
    • chips1
      Posted on April 22, 2012 at 7:25pm

      We train our boys to be the best fighting force in the world and since 1991, we can’t even train the Arabs to march in a straight line. Defective DNA?

      Report Post »  
  • Hiswill
    Posted on April 22, 2012 at 5:54pm

    The Afghan government is laughing all the way to the bank. They take our money and cozy up to the Taliban and al-Qaida, suppress democracy, abuse their women and children. It’s business as usual only with our money padding their wallets.

    Report Post » Hiswill  
  • cemerius
    Posted on April 22, 2012 at 5:50pm

    Smoke and Mirrors…..while another corrupt muslim country gets more FREE American tax money!!! Extortion on the world stage!!!

    Report Post » cemerius  
  • Legion5
    Posted on April 22, 2012 at 5:48pm

    After all the rhetoric from Karzai this is not acceptable, and I say by you tool. After all you were the only choice after Ahmad Shah Massoud was assassinated by Al Queda 09 Sept 2001. By the way Karzai was a very distant second choice he is a worthless pile of Camel POO! It’s time to leave Afghanistan and stop funding an two face jerk, and as we leave tell him if we have to come back he will see where Bin Ladin is buried PAL!

    Report Post » Legion5  
  • dissentnow
    Posted on April 22, 2012 at 5:45pm

    A decade is equal to 100 years in government talk. Washington will be sending our tax payer dollars to Afghanistan for generations to come and the outcome will always be the same; no matter how much blood and treasure we sacrifice, that region of the world will always hate us. Its time to cut our losses. Period! No more blood and no more treasure

    Report Post »  

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