Visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Thursday assured the US that with a strong security force, Afghanistan would not be threatened by terrorists from across its borders when the America-led international force withdraws from the country in 2014.
On a three-day official visit to the country, Karzai, ahead of his talks with US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta, hoped that the two countries would be able to work on the modalities of the bilateral security agreement (BSA), which is currently being negotiated between the two countries. “I can assure you, Mr Secretary (Panetta) that with the help that you’ll provide, Afghanistan will be able to provide security to its people and protect its borders so Afghanistan will never again be threatened by terrorists from across our borders,” Karzai told the Defence Secretary in his opening remarks ahead of the meeting between the two leaders. “I’m sure during this trip, Afghanistan and the US will work out the modality for bilateral security limit that will ensure the interests of the state of Afghanistan and also the interests of the United States,” Karzai said. The BSA would determine the troop structure and nature of US presence in Afghanistan post-2014 after the withdrawal of the US-led international forces from the country.
Won’t let Afghanistan soil be used by terrorists: Karzai
