Afghan gov't to convene Loya Jirga on strategic relations with U.S.
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Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Monday that his government would convene traditional Loya Jirga or grand assembly within two to three months to make decision to sign agreement on establishing strategic relations with the U.S.
"The U.S. presented a draft document (on strategic relations) two weeks ago and the document is still under review," Karzai told a press conference.
"The traditional Loya Jirga or grand assembly of elders and chieftains would be convened within two to three months to make decisions with regard to signing strategic relations agreement with the United States," he said.
If the U.S. wants to have strategic relations with Afghanistan it should accepts Afghanistan's terms and conditions, he stated.
Karzai said that the first and foremost condition for having the strategic relations with U.S. is ensuring lasting peace and stability in our country.
"Our terms and conditions are based on our national interest that include supporting Afghan national security forces to safeguard the country's sovereignty independently, the modalities of contribution to civilian and military fields, removing obstacles on the way towards progress and above all ensuring viable peace," Karzai said.
Over 140,000-strong NATO-led troops with nearly 100,000 of them Americans are going to begin handing over security responsibility to Afghan national security forces in July this year and the process would be completed by the end of 2014.
Afghan National Security Council led by Karzai discussed all aspects of U.S. suggestion with regard to having strategic relations on Sunday and constituted a commission to draft the demands of Afghans based on the long-term national interest of Afghanistan.
