5 US Senators (including John McCain) met with Afghan president Hamid Karzai to discuss the parameters of a long-term partnership amid the drawback of US troops out of Afghanistan. A key issue in the matter is American-led night raids to take out Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters. McCain was unsympathetic to Karzai's demands to curb the night raids, which he says cause unnecessary civilian deaths. Another key issue is Karzai's demand that the US handover their detention facilities to Afghanistan. Without the US considering these issues, Karzai will not sign a partnership agreement. NATO forces and American troops are scheduled to leave by 2014, and McCain highlighted the necessity of forming a partnership agreement very soon. McCain is doubtful about any agreement with the Taliban, citing that Obama's announcement of military drawback has diminished the insurgency's willingness to negotiate.
http://wapo.st/x29oEL
Jill Laumbacher
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