In rsponse to the reason comparison made by President Hamid Karzai of the Kabul-Washington security pact with the much resented Durand Line Treaty made with Great Britain in the 19th century, a number of international affairs experts looked to clarify the major differences between the two.
The experts principled objection to Karzai's statement, which added greater tension to a already tense situation over the delay in the Bilateral Security Agreement's (BSA) finalization, was that the pact had been judged to be in Afghanistan's interests and was overwhelmingly supported by the Afghan people.
Back in November, a 2,500-member Loya Jirga voted in approval of the BSA, and since Karzai has demanded the U.S. meet new preconditions before the deal is signed, a bevy of Afghan political leaders and civil society activists have come out in public support of it.
In contrast, the experts said, the Durand Line Treaty was imposed by the British Empire and entailed the loss of territory.
"I think instead of comparing this agreement to the Durand Line Treaty, President Karzai should have compared it to the U.S. Security agreement with Germany, the U.S. Security Agreement with Japan, or U.S. Security Agreement with Saudi Arabia and South Korea," international affairs expert Malek Setiz said.
Political analyst Daud Moradian said Karzai should consider what kind of leader he wants to be, and how he wants to be remembered.
"Today, India has changed into a strategic partner with the U.S. and is an emerging power in the region, so we hope that Mr. Karzai will learn from Ahmadi Nejad's experiences and will act in accordance with the national interests of Afghanistan like Manmohan Singh," Moradian said, juxtaposing the anti-U.S. legacy of the former Iranian leader with the more engaged leadership of India's current Prime Minister.
Recent statements made by Karzai casting doubt over whether or not he will ever sign the BSA have received harsh criticism from Afghan leaders, including Presidential candidates.
"I think that if the Bilateral Security Agreement between Kabul and Washington is not signed, the elections will not be held as well," Presidential candidate Gul Agha Sherzai said.
"The Afghan people's hope is in the hands of a foreign country, but up to the efforts of the President of Afghanistan, the government of Afghanistan, the future government of Afghanistan and the people of Afghanistan," Presidential candidate Dr. Abdullah Abdullah said.