Hamid Karzai Archives - Iran News Daily

Intra-Afghan Talks to Begin in Qatar

reporter 1222 — Sun, 09 Aug 2020 11:54:30 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – The former president Hamid Karzai announced on Sunday that the intra-Afghan talks would begin in Qatar within two to three days after the release of the 400 Taliban prisoners.

He made the remarks in the closing session of the Loya Jirga, a gathering of Afghan politicians and community leaders.

“Loya jirga made our wishes come true. Peace will make life beautiful. People were worried about freedom and their rights. All the Afghan children, boys and girls, will go to school,” he expressed content.

He called Taliban to stay in peace.

“This is a very happy day. Based on the information I have the intra-Afghan talks would begin within two to three days after the release of the 400 Taliban prisoners,” former President Hamid Karzai told the gathering.

The Afghan government and the Taliban are “on the verge” of peace talks after thousands of prominent Afghans approved the release of about 400 contentious militant prisoners, Kabul’s lead negotiator said Sunday, as France 24 reported.

The resolution was passed at the end of a three-day “Loya jirga” – a traditional Afghan meeting of tribal elders and other stakeholders sometimes held to decide on controversial issues.

“In order to remove the hurdles for the start of peace talks, stopping the bloodshed, and for the good of the public, the jirga approves the release of 400 prisoners as demanded by the Taliban,” jirga member Atefa Tayeb announced.

“The decision of the Loya jirga has removed the last excuse and obstacles on the way to peace talks. We are on the verge of peace talks,” said Abdullah Abdullah, who has been appointed by the government to lead negotiations with the Taliban.

The gathering recommended that any foreign nationals among the prisoners should be handed over to their respective countries.

The prisoners’ fate has been a crucial hurdle in launching peace talks between the two warring sides, which have committed to completing a prisoner exchange before the talks can start.

The post Intra-Afghan Talks to Begin in Qatar appeared first on Iran News Daily.

Karzai blames US for crisis in Afghanistan

reporter 1222 — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 12:37:57 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Former president of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai has blamed the US policies and “insulting” and “divisive” treatment of Afghan people for the current political crisis in the country.

“In all my meetings with US officials in recent months, especially with US special envoy (Zalmay Khalilzad), I expressed my deep concern about the lack of sincerity and transparency in the US’s policies regarding moving the election process forward and parts of the peace process [with the Taliban militants],” Karzai said in a statement carried by the local TOLO News.

On Monday, Afghan incumbent President Ashraf Ghani and opposition candidate and former chief executive Abdullah Abdullah both held inauguration ceremonies in the capital. Abdullah has contested the official results of the recent presidential election in the country, which showed Ghani had won.

Karzai said if the US had been sincere about seeking an end to the crisis in Afghanistan, it would have prevented divisions and political instability by making constructive and on-time moves ahead of the inauguration ceremonies.

“I have reiterated that the election and peace should result in strengthening national unity and stability in the country and in the establishment of a legitimate and powerful national government,” the ex-president added, referring to his meetings with US officials.

Karzai said that under the current situation, there was a need for unity among Afghans so that they could “foil plots” from abroad.

UNSC adopts resolution backing US-Taliban ‘peace’ deal

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously adopted a resolution Tuesday afternoon endorsing a deal between the US and the Taliban in Afghanistan.

All 15 Security Council members supported the resolution — proposed by Washington — that endorsed a joint US-Afghan declaration on peace and a deal signed between the Trump administration and the Taliban.

This is while the Taliban have been engaging in attacks against the Afghan government since the deal was signed on February 29.

The Washington-Taliban deal was negotiated without the formal involvement of the central government in Afghanistan.

The post Karzai blames US for crisis in Afghanistan appeared first on Iran News Daily.

Karzai: Iran-Taliban talks surely benefits Afghanistan

reporter 1222 — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 12:25:46 +0000

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has said that Iran-Taliban talks is quite beneficial to Afghanistan.

“Iran is in contact with the Taliban which is definitely beneficial to Afghanistan,” he told ISNA in an interview published on Wednesday.

The Foreign Ministry announced that Iranian diplomats held a meeting with a Taliban delegation in Tehran on December 30. Abbas Araqchi, the deputy foreign minister for political affairs, headed the Iranian negotiating team.

Araqchi visited Kabul on January 5 to brief senior Afghan officials, including President Ashraf Ghani, on Iran’s talks with Taliban representatives.

Defense Minister Amir Hatami said on Monday that Iran’s talks with Taliban are aimed at restoring peace and stability to Afghanistan.

The post Karzai: Iran-Taliban talks surely benefits Afghanistan appeared first on Iran News Daily.

US in Afghanistan because its main rivals are in neighborhood: Karzai

reporter 1222 — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 07:00:53 +0000

The United States is not in Afghanistan to defeat the Taliban but because America’s main rivals like China, Russia and Iran are in the neighborhood, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai says.

Karzai, 60, made the remarks in an interview with The Washington Post’s Pamela Constable who’s the newspaper’s bureau chief in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The interview was published on February 14, Wednesday.

“The United States is not here to go to a party,” Karzai said. “There is no need for them to build so many bases just to defeat a few Taliban. They are here because all the great American rivals are in the neighborhood, and we happen to be here, too. They are welcome to stay but not to deceive us.”

The United States — under Republican George W. Bush’s presidency — and its allies invaded Afghanistan on October 7, 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban regime from power, but after more than 16 years, the foreign troops are still deployed to the country.

After becoming the president in 2008, President Barack Obama, a Democrat, vowed to end the Afghan war — one of the longest conflicts in US history – but he failed to keep his promise.

Trump, who has spoken against the Afghan war, has dubbed the 2001 invasion and following occupation of Afghanistan as “Obama’s war”.

But Trump has also announced to deploy thousands of more troops to the war-torn country, signaling a policy shift.

Taliban militants and Daesh terrorists have increased their attacks against foreign troops and other Westerners residing in Afghanistan but often end up killing more Afghans than the foreigners occupying the country.

“Too many Afghans are dying for an uncertain future,” said the former Afghan president. “We are too small and poor to ask the US to stop, but we are a country, and our interests must be respected.”

Karzai has previously accused the US of colluding with Daesh in Afghanistan and allowing the terrorist group to flourish in the war-stricken country in order to justify its presence.

Back in 2014, the US-led occupying forces in Afghanistan officially announced the end of their combat operations in the country, saying they now had a mission to “train, advise, and assist” Afghan troops.

However, the Trump administration last year permitted the deployment of an additional 3,000 troops to Afghanistan, where the US already has 11,000 forces.

Karzai, who became Afghanistan’s first president under an agreement largely negotiated by Western countries after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, refused to sign an agreement allowing US military bases to remain in the country before leaving in 2014. Karzai’s successor, Ashraf Ghani, signed the agreement immediately after he assumed the presidency.

Karzai has suggested an alternative political path forward, proposing a loya jirga, or traditional gathering for debate and decision to resolve problems.

“I know the Americans are worried that a jirga will ask them to leave and ask me to return, but I have no desire to return,” Karzai said in the interview. “Today, things are going so badly that we need to go back to the people. The United States has no need to fear us, but America’s behavior is damaging us, and our belief in the democratic values of the West is being shattered. Why do they want to see us weak and unstable?”

He told The Washington Post‘s correspondent that he had been “brutally frank” with American officials during his presidency, saying that it was his patriotic duty at the time.

“I am not anti-American,” Karzai said. “I oppose a lot of US policies, but I remain an ally. If the Americans act honorably, they will find us very accommodating.”

The post US in Afghanistan because its main rivals are in neighborhood: Karzai appeared first on Iran News Daily.

U.S. has “destroyed” Afghanistan, says former Afghan president

reporter 1222 — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 07:45:43 +0000

NEW DELHI – Addressing the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi on Thursday, India’s flagship foreign policy conference held annually, the former Afghan President Hamid Karzai lashed out at the United States, claiming that it had “destroyed” Afghanistan.

Participating in ‘The Afghan Poser’ panel session, Karzai said he had invited the U.S. to Afghanistan to bring peace and stability and defeat extremism, but after coming to the country, they destroyed it.

Karzai, who served as the president of Afghanistan between 2001 and 2014, fell out of favor with the US after he rejected the controversial bilateral security agreement between Washington and Kabul in the run up to 2014 Afghan presidential elections. Since then, he has repeatedly and vigorously criticized Washington’s Afghanistan policy.

Slamming the U.S., Karzai said its Afghanistan policy has been a complete failure, which has given rise to dreaded militant groups like ISIS. “It is up to the United States and Pakistan to explain the rise of ISIS,” the former Afghan President said. He said the militant group which has gained strong foothold in parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent years sprouted in full presence of the U.S. forces.

A few months ago, Karzai had accused the U.S. of aiding ISIS in Afghanistan. “How did ISIS emerge in Afghanistan under the watch of US intelligence and military officials,” he said in an interview on RT. “We have the right to ask these questions and the US government must answer.” He also spoke of how the U.S. bases in Afghanistan are “used” and how “unmarked, non-military coloured helicopters” supply ISIS in many parts of the country.

Commenting on terror sanctuaries in Pakistan and Trump administration’s latest diatribe against Islamabad, Karzai said the U.S. knew it all along and how terrorism was being “used as an instrument of state policy”, but little action was taken. “Now that the U.S. has admitted terror sanctuaries exist (in Pakistan), I hope they act,” he said, in a sardonic tone.

On the issue of growing religious extremism in the region, without mincing words Karzai called it the “product of US-Pakistan collaboration against Soviet Union”. It is pertinent to note that the militant groups like Afghan Taliban and Haqqani Network were born from the U.S.-led war against Soviet Union in Afghanistan in 1980s.
Karzai said the West is more corrupt than countries in the South-West Asia region. “I don’t believe in western indices. They represent us as savages. We are a deeply cultured society,” adding that the word “mafia” had western roots. He also said that “others” (the West) get the money from opium production while Afghans get the bad name.

Speaking on the same panel, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov dismissed speculations about Russia’s links with the Taliban. “We are offering to create conditions for talks (with the Taliban), but there is no evidence of Russian assistance to the Taliban, he stressed.

On Asia being a new power hub, Morgulov said it is no longer a geographical entity but “a dynamic political and economic concept”.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Kazem Sajjadpour also spoke at the conference and hailed Chabahar Port as an example of win-win cooperation, echoing what India’s Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said last week during his meeting with Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development Abbas Akhoundi.

“Chabahar is a major example of success in connectivity between Iran, Afghanistan and India. There is no competition between these orders. It’s a win-win (situation) for all stakeholders”, he said. India has pledged to invest $500 million into the ambitious project in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province, besides an additional $16 billion investment in Chabahar free trade zone.

Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj in her address denounced the use of terrorism as state policy. She said that it is high time world wakes up to this “global menace”.

Indian Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat downplayed the border tension between India and China, saying the bonhomie between New Delhi and Beijing has returned to where it was prior to the Doklam incident. “I don’t visualize a very serious trouble,” he said.
Designed on the lines of Shangrila Dialogue in Singapore, more than 150 speakers and over 550 delegates from around 90 countries are participating in the Raisina Dialogue.

The post U.S. has “destroyed” Afghanistan, says former Afghan president appeared first on Iran News Daily.

US presence in Afghanistan bolstered terrorism

reporter 1222 — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 07:15:20 +0000

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai said the regional countries should be vigilant against conspiracies of US government which is seeking to spread sow of discord in the region.

Hamid Karzai made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Mehr News correspondent and requested neighboring countries to make their utmost efforts for thwarting US plots in the region and prevent penetration of ISIL from entering into Afghanistan.

To learn more about the details on the current and past situation of Afghanistan, Mehr News Agency (MNA) has conducted an exclusive interview with Hamid Karzai:

You have been the President of Afghanistan for 14 years and won the US support during these years wholeheartedly. But is it for some time that you have become as tough critic of the US government. Why did you disagree with the US government? In early years of your administration, did you think that US would be thinking of maintaining interests of Afghan people?

In the beginning when the United States and its allies came to Afghanistan after Sept. 11 terrorist attack with the support of international community and UN, people of Afghanistan welcomed them warmly.

When I saw that US and its allies have decided to create a safe haven for the people of Afghanistan, I myself became very happy on the arrival of the United States to Afghanistan. Even, I showed vehement interest on the arrival of US forces to Afghanistan before Sept. 11 attack in order to make a better future for this disaster-stricken country.

In the beginning, I thought that United States can make a bright and rosy future for the people of Afghanistan but unfortunately, it was a wrong idea that I had in my mind. After some years of their presence in Afghanistan, I came to this conclusion that they [US government] intend to materialize its objectives in this country under the pretext of fighting against terrorism. During these years, neighboring countries especially Iran established very intimate cooperation and collaboration with Afghanistan. But unfortunately, after years of US presence in this country, I saw that Afghanistan is moving slowly from a rather calm conditions towards instability and war. Under such circumstances, I conversed with the then authorities of the United States but later, I saw that US government tries to spread its sovereignty and sow seeds of discord in Afghanistan. For this purpose, I understood that US entered into Afghanistan in order to materialize its malicious objectives.

Moreover, US government set up an equipped prison in Afghanistan and violated law, freedom and religious democracy of Afghanistan. In other words, US interfered with our free election and did not allow us to be strengthened and self-sufficient as a free and independent nation. Eventually, we found that US cannot meet our expectation to be as a free and independent country and tried to materialize its heinous political objectives in Afghanistan.

After some years of their presence in Afghanistan, I came to this conclusion that they [US government] intend to materialize its objectives in this country under the pretext of fighting against terrorism.

Earlier, you had said that you are still in contact with the current government of Afghanistan. Have you established cooperation with the National Unity Government of Afghanistan for exchanging views in this respect? Would you mind explaining a bit more on this?

Yes. Presently, I am getting in contact with the members and authorities of the current administration of Afghanistan every day. In response to the second part of your question, I should say that I exchange views with the current President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah Afghan’s Chief Executive. Also, I am in direct contract with the current members of Afghan Parliament.

Well, you criticized the US policies adopted in the region. Has the current National Unity Government of Afghanistan accepted these criticisms?

Unfortunately no. Of course, we do not want our government to be at loggerhead with the US government. We expect our government to regain its inalienable right from US government. We also expect the current Afghan government to take effective step in the field of spread of peace and security in this country. If US government and any other governments which are friend to us, we express our readiness to establish intimate cooperation with them, otherwise, we have to defend our country by any means. We respect the US government as long as it respects our rights. If we see that US government intends to undermine Afghanistan, we have to defend our country by resorting to any means.

In your opinion, what is the main reason behind announcement of US strategy in which it has shown tendency to wage war with Afghanistan?

Well, it is obvious that US seeks its policy in the battlefront and war. That is to say that US government considers war as a means in order to materialize its objectives in our land and territory. US government has bestowed misery to our country in order to attain its goals by any means. It is natural that we oppose it strongly. We have reflected this issue to US authorities for many times, claiming that you [US government] are not allowed to make a country unsafe and insecure in order to attain your objectives but actually, US officials have resorted to any means in order to spread seeds of discord in most parts of world.

To me, US government is after spreading tension and violence across the globe.

United States had a different approach to its strategy than the past in a way that it warned Pakistan on the one hand and showed willingness to establish more cooperation with India on the other hand. In your opinion, what objective is pursuing by the United States with this change of stance?

Incorrect and wrong policy taken by Pakistan in fighting against terrorism is the main reason that United States adopted a tough position against Pakistan. The US government accuses Pakistan of spreading extremism and terrorism. The US government was well aware of this issue many years ago. The main reason of this approach can be sought in US strategic objectives in the region. American government wants to achieve its goals through creation of disunity and discord in the region. It is hoped that leaders of regional countries will be more vigilant on the plots waged by US government against them.

You want Loya Jirga (Grand Assembly) in Afghanistan should be held, in which, United States in this gathering should promise not to attack or abuse any country. Do you think that the United States is explicitly trying to use Afghan land and territory for this purpose?

Yes. The coalitions have been emerged for this purpose. But in return, we have always said that Afghanistan soil should not be used against any neighboring country. We do not allow US and/or any other country to use our land against other neighboring countries. We want Afghanistan a developed country in the region. We insist on cooperating and interacting with other countries based on mutual respect. We expect other countries to use Afghanistan soil for spread of peace and security. We are against any war in every part of the world. If US government helps Afghanistan in this regard, we welcome it; otherwise, we will oppose such policy and struggle to stand against bullying powers by all our means.

Iranian nation is a friend and bother of people of Afghanistan. We have very deep cultural, religious and linguistic commonalities. Afghan government and noble people of this country will never tolerate any insulting and abusive remarks stated against the Islamic Republic of Iran. In general, people of Afghanistan have the best relations with the Iranian people.

Do you think that US government backs ISIL terrorist group in the region? What is your opinion in this regard?

In response to your question, I should say that ISIL did not emerge as an internal phenomenon in our country. This terrorist group has penetrated into Afghanistan land and territory. Most people in our country have been victimized by ISIL’s brutal act that has brought about many problems in our country. ISIL is the brainchild of US and its allies which introduced this terrorist group to the world under the pretext of fighting against extremism and terrorism. For this purpose, I call on regional countries not to allow ISIL to grow in Afghanistan, otherwise, their peace and tranquility will be jeopardized extremely. It is for about 16 years that US forces and troops are in Afghanistan and have brought about misery and many problems to the people of this country.

US government claims that it fights ISIL but with the presence of US in the region, nothing special has been happened up to the present time. Nowadays, we can see that the number of this terrorist group is increased day by day. It is obvious that US government and its allies such as Saudi Arabia back this terrorist group in order to realize their heinous objectives in the region.

Can cooperation of regional countries with Afghanistan be a substitute for US and Western countries’ cooperation in Afghanistan?

I should say that regional cooperation should be strengthened in Afghanistan with or without the presence of US in the region. Regional countries should establish cooperation and interaction with Afghanistan in order to spread peace and security in their countries especially at the current situation that ISIL has been spread in most parts of the region. We cordially request our neighboring countries to cooperate with us, because, this issue is an inevitable and unavoidable issue for us in line with strengthening National Unity Government of Afghanistan.

US President Donald Trump has always adopted an aggressive stance against the Islamic Republic of Iran. You mentioned in your previous interviews that US government has insulted Iran. What is your opinion about this rhetoric stated by US President against Iran?

I heard the aggressive statements of US President against Iran and am very sorry about this. Trump is the president of a great country. American people are very respectable, industrious and noble. Undoubtedly, American people do not use such a harsh rhetoric against Iran and such speeches against a very civilized and historical nation is not acceptable at all.

Can the rhetoric stated by US President Trump change mentality of Afghan people towards the Islamic Republic of Iran?

No. not at all. Iranian nation is a friend and bother of people of Afghanistan. We have very deep cultural, religious and linguistic commonalities. Afghan government and noble people of this country will never tolerate any insulting and abusive remarks stated against the Islamic Republic of Iran. In general, people of Afghanistan have the best relations with the Iranian people.

A couple of months ago, we interviewed with one of members of Taliban who said that Taliban is ready to negotiate with Afghanistan provided that foreign forces should leave Afghanistan. Do you think that if such an event is occurred, will Taliban live up to its commitment to negotiate with the government of Afghanistan?

Well, Taliban always announces that it is ready to negotiate with the government of Afghanistan under specific terms and conditions as mentioned in above. For this purpose, they are struggling in this respect. I think what they say, they should accept to do it naturally.

Let’s talk about the previous election held in Afghanistan that led to the formation of a National Unity Government, in which, two parties took part in the government. Many political analysts and even Afghan people believe that previous election held in Afghanistan is a completely rejected election. In that time, you were the president of Afghanistan. Would you please tell us what was the main reason for the problems happened in the previous presidential elections in Afghanistan?

Problems occurred in Afghan’s previous presidential election cannot be discussed. It is natural that a country like Afghanistan has an electoral problem but our election was badly named by the United States and was done for American purposes. We know this and everyone knows. This issue is clear for us like the sun and cannot be hidden. Everyone who strives to conceal it will fail. US had goals in Afghanistan and wanted to establish a weak and debilitated government in Afghanistan.

In 2009 when I was also a presidential candidate in Afghanistan, United States made its utmost effort to create a chaos situation in this country but I thwarted the US plot in Afghanistan and do not allow US to reach its goal. But in 2014, unfortunately, US succeeded in its goal.

So, our problem with regard to our election is related to the people of Afghanistan and nothing else but how we were notorious, I should say that it is related to the foreign powers. Undoubtedly, US government had a hand on it.

As the last question, have you decided to be a candidate in upcoming presidential election in Afghanistan?

No. My term has finished in Afghanistan. I am of the opinion that young people of Afghanistan and the new generation of Afghanistan and also new Afghan politicians should roll up their sleeves and come to the scene of election in line with materializing objectives of this country in all fields.

Any concluding remarks?

I would like to express my special thanks to you and your dear colleagues who arranged this interview. Once again, I request regional countries to cooperate and establish unity and amity with one another in order to witness a world free from war and aggression.

The post US presence in Afghanistan bolstered terrorism appeared first on Iran News Daily.

Hamid Karzai says not running for president

reporter 1222 — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 06:03:42 +0000

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai in an exclusive interview with Mehr News Agency said he has no plans for running for office in Afghanistan’s next presidential election.

Presidential elections were held in Afghanistan in 2014, with Ashraf Ghani named as the winner. Incumbent President Hamid Karzai was not eligible to run due to term limits.

Speaking to Mehr News Agency, the former Afghan president said he has no intention of running for president in Afghanistan’s next election, saying it is better for the new generation and other political elites of the country to enter the campaign.

Hamid Karzai’s announcement comes as many political analysts believe he would be one of the notable candidates for Afghanistan’s next presidential election.

Meanwhile, Atta Muhammad Nur, Governor of Balkh Province, has said chances of his running for office are not too improbable. Anwar ul-Haq Ahady, the elected leader of the Afghan Millat Party, has also announced his decision to run for president.

In his exclusive interview with Mehr News the details of which will be later published, Hamid Karzai talked about many issues related to the political scene of Afghanistan, including the various aspects of the US strategy in Afghanistan, and the country’s need for maintaining friendly ties with neighboring countries.

The post Hamid Karzai says not running for president appeared first on Iran News Daily.