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Sunday, February 24, 2013

Afghanistan; Karzai kicks US forces out of Wardak province, says we are causing "insecurity and instability".

All the blood, sweat and tears we have poured into Afghanistan means nothing, regardless of the folly that it turned out to be.  Karzai is not our friend so this should come as no surprise.  It is long past time to have left Afghanistan and let the chips fall where they may, with no clear goal or outcome there is no logic behind staying one minute longer.

From DAWN Feb 24

Karzai orders US forces out of Afghan province

KABUL: Afghan President Hamid Karzai demanded Sunday the withdrawal of US special forces from Wardak within two weeks, accusing them of fuelling “insecurity and instability” in the volatile province neighbouring the capital Kabul.

“In today’s national security council meeting… President Karzai ordered the ministry of defence to kick out the US special forces from Wardak province within two weeks,” said presidential spokesman Aimal Faizi.

“The US special forces and illegal armed groups created by them are causing insecurity, instability, and harass local people in this province,” he told a press conference.

The announcement would be another blow to the prestige of US-led forces as they prepare to withdraw combat troops from the war against Taliban insurgents by the end of next year.

The bulk of Nato’s 100,000 troops are due to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014.

A US Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A) spokesman said he was aware of the reported comments by Faizi.

“We take all allegations of misconduct seriously and go to great lengths to determine the facts surrounding them,” he said.

“Until we have had a chance to speak with senior (Afghan) officials about this issue we are not in a position to comment further. This is an important issue that we intend to fully discuss with our Afghan counterparts.”

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