Afghan Loya Jirga recommends strategic partnership with U.S., President Karzai supports

Afghan Loya Jirga recommends strategic partnership with U.S., President Karzai supports

Afghan Loya Jirga or grand assembly of tribal elders, notables, lawmakers and government functionaries recommended the government to ink strategic partnership with the United States on Saturday after four-day discussions.

In a 76-artilce resolution read-out at the end of the four-day Jirga, the participants expressed their support to ink strategic relationship with the United States, believing it would benefit war-torn Afghanistan in all fields.

The Jirga in part of the resolution said that the U.S. should not bring nuclear, biological and chemical weapons to Afghanistan.

It also noted that "inking strategic partnership with the U.S. would be for 10 years and can be extended if necessary."

The resolution also said U.S. forces should halt night raid on villages and halt the arresting of Afghans in war on insurgents.

It also demanded the U.S. military to hand over any detention center in Afghan soil to the Afghan government.

The resolution also recommends that the strategic partnership between Afghanistan and the United States should be inked "between two sovereign independent countries," and "the documents of strategic partnership should be registered with the United Nations. "

It also said "if Afghanistan is attacked by any country, the U. S. should stand alongside Afghanistan."

"Both Afghanistan and the United States of America has equal right to revoke the strategic agreement," the resolution said.

The resolution also called on the U.S. to help increase the capability of Afghan national security forces including its air force.

"It is preferred that the U.S. military installations should be established in Afghanistan's borders with the neighboring states particularly from where terrorists threaten the country," the resolution stressed.

The resolution also said that "the U.S. cannot support the militants from its bases," noting the U.S. should support Afghanistan in building and rebuilding infrastructures, trade and economic activities.

It also recommended the Afghan government to continue peace talks with the armed opposition groups including Taliban but with renewing the past way and new strategy.

President Hamid Karzai in his short speech after hearing the resolution expressed his support to the decisions taken by the Loya Jirga and said the recommendations would be implemented.

English.news.cn   2011-11-19 20:24:50 FeedbackPrintRSS
KABUL, Nov. 19 (Xinhua)