Recently, through press conferences and clear statements President Karzai has proved that he is still strong on his stance regarding Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) and he has shown that he might not sign unless his demands are fulfilled by Washington. He challenged the sincerity of both Islamabad and Washington in the last press conference. “The peace process is, he said, at the hands of Pakistan and United States”. “Do not forget Pakistan. If Taliban operate from inside Pakistan, than it is involved. If Taliban are active from Afghanistan then it is our domestic affairs. In such circumstances Washington must assist us not try to interfere”!
Additionally, he resembled his condition with that of Amir Abdur Rahman Khan, saying that he signed the present border between Afghanistan and British Emperor contract which is known Durand line because he was under pressure. He said that he would not sign the BSA under pressure.
Ostensibly, President Karzai is going far away. His stance is continually tilting towards those who are fighting foreign allies and his government. As he said that Bagram prison was Taliban-making factory. “It is the prison that produces Taliban because innocent Afghans are arrested and put in jail without fair trail,” he said. “Being tortured in prison, they will hate their country”
It is not clear on what bases he acquit prisoners. Often those who were released from the prison were rearrested while fighting Afghan and foreign security forces. It was not due to revenge. The very day when they returned to their area, militants arranged huge celebration party. Meanwhile, Afghan intelligence frequently has talked to media on condition of anonymity about authentic document against them. But the three panel criminal cases review assigned by President to review the profile of prisoners was indeed in the favor of the government. They realized that if they acquit, it will increase the popularity for ruling team and will get the chance to occupy better positions if the Karzai-supported team once again comes to power. He said that a US senator told him during their visit from Kabul in 2008 that US will put any one in jail if they suspect. “No, it was what the USSR was doing”, President Karzai added, “I will not allow you to do so”.
Even if the senator said, it was a diplomatic discussion and it is not necessary to express anything which might put in danger the national interest. Just within past days, suicide bombings hit the height across the country. The ruling team may also put them in line with pressure of Washington to sign the BSA. During history, propaganda has also become part of our political culture. Afghans who failed to restore security or deliver fundamental services, people always linked their failures to foreign hands. They have blamed foreigners for not allowing them to succeed. Unfortunately, it is really an accepted and familiar concept among people. Without blaming their rulers, people accept that foreigners do not allow them to have a better life.
Similar stance is embarrassed by present government. It blames foreign NGOs for corruption. During last two years, numbers of NGOs left the country or faced a tremendous decline of their budget. Meanwhile, the corruption did not decrease but rather increased tremendously. It reflects the failures of government and it has nothing to do with some invisible hands that appear directly or indirectly in statements of our politicians.
First of all, the United States is of the opinion that it is not forcing anyone to sign BSA as it did not in the case of Iraq. When Iraqi officials voted against military extension, it pulled out without any visible irritation. Same would be the case of our country. it recognize the independence of our country and never acted like emperor or occupier as team around President Karzai try to spoil his concept regarding foreign allies. After severe opposition of President against night raids, NATO just stopped it without hesitation. The US handed over the Bagram prison in order to show its sincerity that it respects the independence and sovereignty of the country. However, President Karzai reached to a conclusion that US acts like an imperialist and it has its own interests to follow. In addition, he frequently supported BSA and said that it bears the national interest. Without signing BSA, Afghanistan may not keep growing or remain stable. These are the very words of Mr. President just months ago. Is it not weird that now it becomes like a Durand Line which is known as stigma for Adur Rahman Khan Regime?
Secondly, the US military presence is entirely based on international laws. It does not want to divide the country as the Durand line did---however, it should be noticed that Abdur Rahman Khan was not forced to sign the agreement but rather he did in order to benefit get military and financial support from British India – it just wants to protect the democratic achievements made during last 12 years. It wants to stay here to prevent the dominance of Taliban militants. It is better for President to understand that his government without the support of foreign allies would face serious challenges. Taliban has mounted pressure. Certainly, without the presence of a strong ally, the country will head towards becoming a battlefield for proxy war once again.