US 'Zero Option' for Afghanistan Arrives as Ultimatum to Karzai

[unhappycamper]

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/11/26-8



With Afghan people caught in the middle the idea of a negotiated peace or a thoughtful withdrawal are not part of the dialogue

US 'Zero Option' for Afghanistan Arrives as Ultimatum to Karzai
- Common Dreams staff
Published on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 by Common Dreams

A full and complete U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan—known as the "zero option"—has now been floated by U.S. officials at the highest levels.

The plan, however, has not been offered as a responsible solution to the plague of war and occupation that has ravaged the country since 2001, but delivered as an ultimatum in order to pressure the Afghan government to agree to U.S. terms over a pending security agreement.

Following the surprise refusal by Afghan President Hamid Karzai to sign a security agreement outlining the terms of a prolonged U.S. occupation, U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice issued the "zero option" threat after the Afghan president, citing a "lack of trust," announced his desire to wait to sign the Bilateral Security Agreement until after the next presidential elections in April.

"Ambassador Rice reiterated that, without a prompt signature, the US would have no choice but to initiate planning for a post-2014 future in which there would be no US or Nato troop presence in Afghanistan," said a White House spokesman.



unhappycamper comment: I think it would be a HUGE mistake to continue this occupation for another ten years.

I would rather have my tax dollars go towards feeding people, not killing them.

This is what we're up against:

[paulmariner]

1. New

Didn't know this.