The U.S. must choose between having Afghanistan or Pakistan as a strategic partner before Kabul is willing to sign the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA), Afghan National Security Advisor Dr. Rangeen Dadfar Spanta said on Thursday.
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Dr. Spanta emphasized that the U.S. knows Pakistan is the main "obstacle" to the Afghan government's peace talks with the Taliban, yet refuses to acknowledge it.
"The United States is trying to tell the world and the people of Afghanistan that both the wolf and the sheep are their strategic friends," Dr. Spanta said.
"Afghanistan's Southern and Eastern borders have been under attack for years, and those who are under attack are our women and children."
This week, reports were made in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces of increased rocket attacks originating from across the border in Pakistan. There have been a number of heated confrontations over the years between Afghan and Pakistani border outfits, but no resolution to the skirmishes has been found.
Although relations between Kabul and Islamabad seemed to be improving in the fall of 2013, with Pakistan participating in a number of bilateral discussions with the Afghan government about getting Taliban peace talks on track, Dr. Spanta's comments on Thursday made it clear that tensions were still high.
Host Zabi Sadaat discusses the issue with the following guests:
• Daoud Asaas, Senator
• Semin Barakzai, MP
• Khatera Ishaqzai, a member of civil society
• Hai Gul Suliamankhil, political analyst