Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Kabul (BNA) Almost, one and half year elapsed from the signing of BSA with the US.
But the first meeting of commission on implementation of this security agreement was held on Monday with the participation of RS commander Gen. J. Campbell and acting Afghan minister of defense Masoum Stanekzai in Kabul. Addressing the meeting, Gen. Campbell said that the Taliban group should not be allowed to take over power again in Afghanistan. He added that Taliban may join peace process if they give up violence, accept achievements of the last fourteen years and respect the Afghan constitution. Calling the goal behind withdrawal and reduction of foreign troops from Afghanistan relaxing of violence, Stanekzai added that withdrawal of international troops not only didn’t reduce violence but increased them.
The US spent long time for signing of this agreement. Both countries held numerous meetings and discussed every item and article of the agreement. But despite of all efforts and continued negotiations, the ex-government was reluctant to ink it. Former president Hamid Karzai conditional signing of BSA to ensuring of reliable peace and security in Afghanistan and asked the US guarantee.
Consultative Loya Jirga was held and its members unanimously requested signing of BSA. Even after the refusal of president Karzai for not signing of BSA, strong waves of criticism were sent to president Karzai. The NUG led by President Ashraf Ghani immediately signed the BSA one day after the oath taking ceremony. There is no doubt that the Afghans and the international community were fond of singing of BSA. In other words, with signing of BSA, Afghanistan got an important and reputable partner like the USA. The Afghan people pinned hope that following the signing of BSA, Afghanistan foe will be foe of the US and America would consider attack to Afghanistan soil as attack to its territory and would react militarily. In fact, it was not a mere hope but was an important part of BSA that was undersigned by both countries. Following that the US pledged to offer military and financial support to ANSF. During discussions on signing of BSA, the US had warned that if Afghanistan refuse to sign it, its security situations would be deteriorated like Iraq and would be destabilized and its territory would be occupied by insurgents. Now after the elapse of over a year from signing of BSA and holding of the first meeting of evaluation and monitoring commission of BSA, this question raises here that whether current security situation of Afghanistan is not worst and more fragile than Iraq who did not signed security agreement with the US?
The response is clear. Following the signing of BSA, Kunduz collapsed by Taliban and currently fierce fighting is going on in Helmand and Baghlan provinces. Highways of the country are under control of Taliban and other terrorist groups like Daesh and every day tens innocent civilians are killed by them across Afghanistan or kidnapped with uncertain destiny. The extensive protest demonstration of Bamyan inhabitants due to increasing insecurities and insurgencies as well as kidnappings was clear example and a testimony to our claim. The Daesh group is a potential threat with presence in 25 provinces. They have dominated ten districts out of 21 in Nangarhar province. Beside this, the US knows well that Taliban supported Al-Qaeda and they committed countless crimes against humanity in Afghanistan. The US troops and other NATO, world community forces have been and still are the direct victims of insurgents in Afghanistan. How despite the signing of BSA, Afghanistan and Iraq could be compared?
Lailuma Noori
