Tuesday, March 05, 2013
Kabul (BNA) President Hamid Karzai met with NATO General Secretary Andres Fogh Rasmussen and discussed with him the process transition of security responsibility, training and equipping of Afghan security forces, the NATO mission after 2014, struggle against terrorism and regional issues.
After the meeting they attended a joint press conference.
Addressing the media President Karzai while welcoming Rasmussen said that Afghanistan is thankful over the NATO assistance in the past several years and not only supports the transition of security responsibility, but wants that this process is completed in its due time.
Answering a question in respect to the agreement of leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan at London meeting, President Karzai about the conference of the Afghan and Pakistani ulema and the recent assertions of chairman of Pakistan ulama said that we had reached agreement in this respect that till the middle of March the conference should be held in Kabul.
He added that the delegations of the two countries met with each other for preparing the conference and the Pakistani ulema asked the ulama of Afghanistan that Taliban should be invited to the conference as well and this demand of the Pakistani ulama was accepted by the Afghan ulema delegation High Peace Council of Afghanistan.
Rasmussen, who is here to take stock of the ISAF mission and the transition to Afghan security forces, believed the process that was set in motion two years ago was making steady progress.
He recalled the local forces were in the lead only in Kabul and adjacent areas two years ago.
“Now they are taking the lead in areas where 87 percent of Afghans live”.
Within months, the secretary general added, Afghan forces would assume lead responsibility for combat operations across the country.
“This is great responsibility, but Afghanistan’s forces have shown they can rise to the challenge.”
Next year’s presidential election would represent a new opportunity for the country in its democratic transition, he said, urging all Afghans to participate in the vote.
He wanted the process to be inclusive and the result acceptable to all.
Rasmussen denounced the Pakistan Ulema Council head’s recent fatwa legalizing suicide attacks in Afghanistan.
In its own benefit, he stressed, Islamabad needed to support counterterrorism efforts.
Rasmussen, who also held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Rassoul and National Security Adviser Dr. Spanta said nothing could justify terrorism attacks.
