Homage to US and NATO led coalition forces who have been striving for peace and security since Taliban were toppled, and largely have been successful in freeing Afghanis out of some atrocities and repression. In this course of time they have rendered great deal of scarifies ranging from life losses to perpetual financial and technical aids and political supports. Afghanistan enjoys multilateral assistance from US who previously entitled Afghanistan as its largest non-NATO ally.
Afghanistan and the US signed a bilateral security agreement last year. The agreement follows a deal that was signed last May in Kabul by President Barack Obama and President Hamid Karzai that assures continuous US assistance and Security Bridge. However, the matter of troop’s immunity is still hanging between the two countries.
Formerly, James Warlick, US President Barack Obama administration’s deputy special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan responding to a query on the issue of immunity said "The immunity is part of the bilateral security agreement. It does not mean rescuing a soldier from prosecution everywhere. There is difference between immunity and the legal jurisdiction." Warlick, who led the US in the first round of talks with the Afghan side led by Eklil Hakimi, Afghanistan’s ambassador in Washington, on issues such as immunity for US troops, said no troop, if found guilty of committing a crime, could be protected from being prosecuted and punished.
Having kept the grave security mess, untrained afghan forces and mighty armed opponents in consideration, the presence of large number of US forces stands pivotal to avoid reversal of security situation. Currently there are about 66,000 US troops. The US wants to retain up to 10,000 troops in Afghanistan after 2014 to train and support Afghan forces and go after extremists and groups.
The matter of immunity is the point of high concern for US and should be addressed with due course of action and rule of business. President Karzai has called for a Loya Jirga (body of elders) to decide on the issue of immunity. However the parliament being the highest legislative body should be taken into confidence over every progress being made on the issue.
On the other hand Taliban’s continuous demand for immediate withdrawal of US and coalition forces, as a preliminary condition for peace talk, seems to be a malicious design. Even if US opt for “zero strategy” Taliban will resort to force and diplomacy tactics. It is feared they impose radical changes in constitutions, using coercion option after complete US withdrawal.
The US seeks immunity to ensure security and safety of its forces from arbitrary and lawless prosecution. It is thought that US’s demand for immunity is to impart big sum of confidence on their troops who could pursue the terrorists and insurgents to their very sanctuaries without fear of breach of law. If they find baseless restrictions and hurdles to operate against the terrorists they will suffer a high degree of risk and life loses.