Afghan government not in hurry to ink security pact with US

The Afghan government is not in a hurry to ink a security pact with the United States and has, however, linked signing the controversial security agreement with Washington to ensuring durable peace in the conflict-ridden country, the presidential spokesman said Tuesday. "Afghanistan would like to sign the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) with the U.S. provided that the agreement guarantees a united Afghanistan with a strong unitary system and a capable security force. The BSA must ensure peace, security and strengthen our economy in Afghanistan," said spokesman Aimal Faizy. The presidential spokesman made the remarks in reaction to U.S. President Barack Obama's the so-called "zero option" to withdraw all American forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2014. He also noted that the people of Afghanistan will take the final decision with regard to inking the security pact with the United States through a traditional Loya Jirga or grand assembly of elders and chieftains. Describing the U.S. decision as a pressure against the Afghan government, he stated that the government of Afghanistan is not in a hurry to sign the controversial agreement, noting the agreement should ensure the benefit of both the countries. However, he said that the United States can ink the security pact with the next Afghan government which comes through voting. It is worth mentioning that Afghan President Hamid Karzai revealed days ago that the United States wanted to ink the agreement within three months, possibly next October.