Secretary of State John Kerry has flown into Afghanistan on an unannounced visit to see President Hamid Karzai amid concerns the Afghan president's recent anti-American rhetoric may be jeopardizing progress in the war against extremism. Kerry is planning a 24-hour visit and was to meet Karzai, civic leaders and others to discuss continued U.S. Assistance to the country. His visit also coincides with the handover of a major detention center to Afghan officials. Ref. USAToday
Karzai and Kerry unable to reach agreement on Afghanistan:
Kerry explained that there was agreement on many points, but not on the key issue of immunity for U.S. Soldiers who will stay past 2014 to aid Afghan security forces. The lack of an agreement would force the U.S. To withdraw all U.S. And NATO troops - including Italy's - from Afghanistan. Ref. Source 8
Afghan president lashes out at US 'threats':
Karzai says the U.S. Is "Absolutely" Acting like a colonial power in its attempts to force him to sign the bilateral security agreement by the end of this year. The paper quoted him as saying: "The threats they are making, `We won't pay salaries, we'll drive you into a civil war.' These are threats." Ref. Source 8
Karzai condemns US shooting of Afghan child:
"We have been calling for the complete end of military operations in residential areas. This demand has not been taken seriously by foreign troops and the result is civilian casualties including women and children." Ref. Source 3