Bush Refuses Karzai on Troops, Captives
WASHINGTON — President Bush promised Monday to continue U.S. military and economic aid to Afghanistan, but resisted pressure from Afghan President Hamid Karzai to yield control of Afghan prisoners and U.S. military operations in the country.
After a White House meeting, the two leaders released a joint statement declaring their countries strategic partners. But on two subjects that have recently caused friction, Bush said that U.S. troops must report to American commanders, and that prisoners would be released only when U.S. authorities were convinced that their native country could properly guard and care for them.
"Of course, our troops will respond to U.S. commanders," Bush said.
Although Bush praised the "great progress" made in the training of Afghan troops, he said they were not ready to take the job being handled by 18,000 U.S. and 8,200 allied troops.
Bush said the military relationship between the two countries is "one of cooperate and consult
Bush said U.S. policy was to "work through" the foreign prisoners held at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and repatriate them over time.
Karzai has been one of the Bush administration's closest allies in its war on terrorism, and his visit was aimed at sealing a long-term U.S. commitment. But many Afghans are upset at the treatment of detainees from their country, and Karzai has said it is time for his government to take control of prisoners and the operations of foreign troops. U.S. forces should not go into an Afghan's home unless they have permission from the Afghan government, he has said.
Although he made no visible headway with Bush in these areas, Karzai sought to smooth over differences.
Karzai said that Afghans don't blame the U.S. for the retracted report in Newsweek magazine about Koran desecration at Guantanamo Bay. The report triggered riots in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indonesia; at least 14 people died in protests in Afghanistan.
"We are, as Muslims, very much unhappy with Newsweek bringing in a matter so serious in the gossip column," he said. "But Newsweek's story is not America's story. That's what we understand in Afghanistan."
Karzai also said the United States was not responsible for the abuse of Afghan prisoners, alluding to reports that U.S. troops have mistreated detainees in his country.
"It does not reflect at all on the American people," he said. "On the contrary, it's an individual act."
