US pledges to help Afghanistan defence even after pull-out

AFGHANISTAN has secured a pledge from Washington that sees the United States undertake to help defend the country military for at least a decade after Kabul formally assumes control of its own security.

The draft strategic agreement, which was signed on Sunday, also says the US will only take such actions with Afghan agreement. The US also pledged it will not launch attacks on other countries from Afghan soil, according to sections of the accord read out in parliament yesterday by Afghan national security adviser Rangin Dadfar Spanta.

Afghan officials had previously said that they would not allow their country to be used to launch drone attacks into Pakistan or other neighbouring countries after the deadline for most foreign forces to withdraw by the end of 2014.

“Considering that stability in Afghanistan would be stability for Central Asia and South Asia, the United States emphasises that any kind of interference in Afghan affairs would be a matter of concern for the United States,” Mr Spanta said, quoting from the Dari language version of the agreement.

“If any interference occurs, the United States, with the agreement of both countries, will give a proper response, including diplomatic means, political means, economic means and even military means.”

He stressed that any such actions would be taken only with Afghan approval.

The commitment is a reminder that while US forces are reducing their presence in Afghanistan over the next two years, its military will remain active in the country long after that.

The draft agreement on a long-delayed strategic partnership agreement ensures the Americans will provide military and financial support to the Afghan people for at least a decade beyond the 2014 deadline.

The pact is key to the US exit strategy because it establishes guidelines for any US forces who remain after the withdrawal deadline and for financial help to the impoverished country and its security forces.

The agreement as read out by Mr Spanta is broad, addressing a mutual commitment to the stability of Afghanistan and to human rights. It does not address specific troop levels or the size or location of bases, though it does say that the US has no plans to keep permanent military bases in Afghanistan.

Many Afghans worry that the US wants permanent bases, a situation that would make it more of an occupying force than an ally. Mr Spanta said specific decisions about bases would be left to a later deal.

US officials involved in negotiations say they see the strategic partnership as overarching agreement to continue to support Afghanistan, with details on troop conduct and strength to be worked out in a “technical agreement” still to come.

The US pledged in the agreement to continue to fund Afghan security forces after 2014. It does not say how much money this will involve, but says it should be enough to support the force. US officials have said they expect to pay about $4 billion (£2.5bn) a year, but the funding would have to be approved by Congress.

Afghan and US officials finalised the text of the document on Sunday after a year and a half of negotiations. They went through 23 drafts before both sides were finally satisfied, Mr Spanta said.

“We have had so many difficult discussions among ourselves and also with the US delegation,” he said.