US to stand by Afghanistan for 10 years after pullout

Kabul Washington has pledged in a newly agreed strategic pact to help defend Afghanistan militarily for at least a decade after the country formally takes control of its own security, an Afghan official said Monday.

The draft agreement signed on Sunday also says the US will only take such actions with Afghan agreement. The United States also pledged it will not launch attacks on other countries from Afghan soil, according to sections of the accord read out in parliament 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 next year.

"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," Spanta said, quoting from the Dari language version of the agreement.

Contingency plan

"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 most contentious issues between the Afghan and US government were resolved in separate memorandums of understanding governing the conduct of night raids and control of detainees ahead of the strategic partnership pact.

The agreement as read out by Spanta is broad, addressing a mutual commitment to the stability of Afghanistan and to human rights.

Details on troop conduct and strength

US officials involved in negotiations said that details on troop conduct and strength were to be worked out in a ‘technical agreement' still to come.

Officials from both sides finalised the text of the document on Sunday after a year and a half of negotiations during which it often seemed that the deal was likely to fall apart. They went through 23 drafts, Spanta said.

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

The agreement still has to go through internal reviews in both countries and to be signed by the Afghan and American presidents.