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Karzai Jabs At USA During Defense Visit

Graham Clark |
March 10, 2013 | 4:27 p.m. PDT

Staff Cartoonist

Hamid Karzai speaking at the World Economic Forum in 2008. (Via Flickr)
Hamid Karzai speaking at the World Economic Forum in 2008. (Via Flickr)
The charged system of relationships in Afghanistan took a turn on the afternoon of March 10, when President Hamid Karzai said that America’s presence in the nation was detrimental, and a threat to his government’s sovereignty.

His statements came amidst a visit by newly appointed United States Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel. (CNN.com)  Since Hagel entered the country for the purposes of a diplomatic visit, life in Afghanistan has been marred by a series of violent incidents, including suicide bombings. (ABC.com)

Some interpretations of Karzai’s statements have gone so far as to suggest he accuses the United States government of colluding with remaining Taliban forces. (The Washington Post). Representatives of the United States including Hagel have recounted their official version of activity in the region, which involves providing no support for the Taliban’s military efforts.

The Afghan President cited civilian deaths due to drone strikes as an example of the United State’s destabilizing presence in his country. His statements also urged action pertaining to America’s standing military force in the country, which is slated to be sustained on a greatly reduced level after troops are widely withdrawn in 2014. (NYTimes.com)

Reach Staff Cartoonist Graham Clark here. Follow him on Twitter here.




 

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