Top news in this Bulletin:
White House spokesman Jay Carney said that if Afghanistan wants U.S. troops to remain in-country beyond 2014, the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) should be signed within weeks. He warned that further delay to the agreement would push Washington toward the "Zero Option", a complete drawdown.
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The stalemate on the BSA has caused some hand-wringing in the administration of Barack Obama, which has been pushing for the pact, especially with the chaos in Iraq serving as a fresh reminder of why the security deal could be so important. In that way, the future stability of Afghanistan is also considered to be tied up with the Kabul-Washington accord.
On Tuesday, the 10th anniversary of the ratification of the Afghan constitution, a ceremony in Kabul to celebrate the day was disrupted by a gas cylinder explosion inside the event venue that left no casualties but ended the proceedings.
The scene of the gas leak was said to have been chaotic, with the many high-ranking government officials in attendance at the event fleeing for cover after the sound of the explosion was heard and smoke seen. For many, it is likely the first thought that came to mind was that an attack had taken place.