KABUL - Afghanistan's senators hailed the upcoming NATO summit in Chicago as a great opportunity for the country on Sunday; however, they urged President Hamid Karzai's government to be clear about its agenda.
Some senators have raised concerns about agreeing to a decrease in Afghan security forces.

"The number of Afghan security forces is to decrease from 375,000 to 230,000 - the reason for this decrease should be clarified," Senator Abdul Wahab Urfan said. "Is it decreasing because of a lack of financial aid or because our neighbouring countries have asked for this as part of the peace process?"

Other senators called for more explanation on the Afghan-US long term strategic agreement, which Tolonews reported Sunday has been finalised, according to a Presidential Palace source.
The agreement is expected to be signed at the NATO summit in May.

"Foreign Affairs should be summoned to provide us with information about Afghan-US long term agreement," speaker of the Senate Fazel Hadi Muslimyar said.
Senator Ali Akbar Jamshidi said: "Afghanistan should have clear visions and agenda at the conference."

Another senator criticised the current peace strategy of Afghan government.
"The High Peace Council, the Peace Strengthening Commission, the Joint Afghanistan-Pakistan Peace Commission and the Qatar program have all been working to bring peace in Afghanistan but none of them have helped," Senator Hedayetullah Rehay said.

NATO's Chicago summit will bring together its member countries and non-member nations who are part of NATO's mission in Afghanistan.
The main agenda of the conference is the security situation in Afghanistan leading up to 2014 when the foreign forces are expected to leave, and the ongoing commitment to maintaining stability in post-2014. (Tolo News)