In an unexpected trip, President Barack Obama paid a visit to US military base at Bagram. It was reported that he had no plans to meet any Afghan official and put meeting with American soldiers. He delivered a speech for American soldiers and presented his especial thanks to soldiers who serve them thousands of miles away from the United States. He said that nothing would inspire as much as sincere efforts and commitments of US soldiers. “I am here as representative of 300 million people to pay my greetings to all of you”.
Meanwhile he also appreciated the Afghan security forces. He said that security during the Election Day reflected the capacity of Afghan security forces. They protected people and people made long queues to vote which in his point of view was the result of US soldiers’ sacrifices.
He once again emphasized that most of American security forces would leave the country by the end of this year. And Afghan security forces should shoulder the entire responsibility to defend the country and protect its citizens.
He also hoped the next government signs the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA). He said, “Once Afghanistan has sworn in its new president, I’m hopeful we will sign a bilateral security agreement that lets us move forward.” Presence of US and other international troops in Afghanistan after 2014 is pivotal for further strengthening and equipping Afghan security forces and keeping terrorist networks such as Al Qaida at bay.
The leading candidate of the first round of presidential election, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah has said he would sign the agreement on his first working day as the president of the country. Dr. Ashraf GhaniAhmadzai, who is competing Abdullah in the second of election on 14th June, has resembling intention regarding BSA. Their instances signal the vitality of BSA for the future stability of Afghanistan.
Obama’s trip takes place amidst criticisms of Afghan officials of phone call recording of Afghan officials by the US intelligence service. However, the criticisms were aggressive in many other countries as well that had close relations with the US and finally the US parliament voted in favor of banning phone call-hackings for officials of other countries. But it is not clear why this issue has sparked controversy now when Afghan people worried about the second round of the elections. Both presidential candidates finally decided not to make alliance and share power but go for the second round in order to compete each other.
Secondly, President Karzai has not a very friendly relation with the US. It is claimed by certain sources that the tension started rising particularly after the rumors that Washington had a desire to replace him with Abdullah Abdullah. Since then, Mr. President started rejecting the demands of the US and instead turned the edge of his criticisms. He did not sign the BSA and said that his government is not in hurry to do so and prefers that the next president signs.
Though both Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraff Ghani Ahmadzai announced preparation to sign the BSA but the statements of Obama was a notice for the coming president to develop a closer ties with the US; otherwise it may not be entitled to financial and technical support of the US.
After the fall of Taliban regime in 2001, Afghanistan has developed in many areas which must not be neglected. Meanwhile, the U.S. government has crushed al Qaida the terror network responsible for 9/11 attacks. By killing its leader Osama bin Laden, the US has snatch al Qaida’s ability in plotting any 9/11-like attack on the U.S.
Thirteen years after the counter-terrorism war commenced, threats to Afghanistan’s stability persist. Nonetheless, President Obama has talked of a responsible end to Afghan war and vowed, “We are going to make sure that Afghanistan can never again — ever — be used to launch a terrorist attack against our country.”
In his remarks to American troops in Bagram, Obama did make any major policy announcement. However, he is expected to make public some important points about U.S. post-2014 presence and role in Afghanistan during a speech at the West Point graduation tomorrow.
The people of Afghanistan began the year 2014 with deep concerns about issues like presidential election, political transition, withdrawal of international troops and future of their country. Nonetheless, Afghanistan conducted a successful election. Now the run-off election will determine the future president of Afghanistan which will pave the way for finalizing the BSA. In this way, hopes that gains of the past 13 years will be reserved and Afghanistan will not fall into chaos will definitely go up.