Most Afghans want security pact with US that would keep American troops in Afghanistan indefinitely.


A senior adviser to Afghan President Hamid Karzai said that most Afghans want a binding security pact with the United States that would keep American troops in Afghanistan indefinitely.

Negotiations for such a pact have lagged in part because "some in the Afghan government are trying to sabotage it," said Taj Ayubi, minister-counselor to Karzai.

Ayubi was not specific, but was apparently referring to factions within the weak central government with ties to Iran, or to a lesser extent, Pakistan or the Taliban insurgency. Iran opposes any US military presence in Afghanistan, and US and other officials say Iran is trying to use its growing influence in neighboring Afghanistan to lobby against a deal that would provide the US a long-term military perch.

The agreement, now in draft form, would give the US use of Afghan-run or jointly-run bases after 2014, when the formal combat role is set to end. Senior US officials have said its central function is to provide assurance to Afghans that the US will not shut the door on Afghanistan in 2014, while establishing terms for continued US counterterrorism, training and counter-narcotics operations.

US officials stress that US military presence will be at Afghanistan s invitation.

Ayubi said the document would give security assurances "from 2014 until we can stand on our own."

The agreement is not expected to include firm deadlines for the close of US operations.

After nearly 10 years of war, many Afghans are weary of foreign troops and blame the flood of U.S. cash for various security and stability programs for distorting the economy and sucking up a corps of talented Afghans for contract labor.

Still, Ayubi predicted broad backing for an agreement once it is in hand.

The US public and Congress are increasingly frustrated by the war, with a majority in public opinion polls now saying it is probably not worth fighting.

"Most people in Afghanistan are strongly in favour of the US presence in Afghanistan," Ayubi told an audience at Marine Corps University.

"They are in favour of a long-term strategic agreement that includes basic rights for the US military, despite the objections of neighbor states" he said. "Afghanistan is the most logical place for the US to have a base."

Spelling out that some level of US forces intend to remain would strengthen Karzai s hand against foreign meddling and in any eventual political negotiation with the Taliban, Ayubi suggested.