U.S. condemns Afghan decision to go ahead with detainee release
Source: Reuters
(Reuters) - U.S. forces in Afghanistan on Tuesday condemned a decision by the Afghan government to proceed with plans to release additional detainees that the United States believes pose a continuing militant threat.
The detainees have become one more issue fueling tension in U.S.-Afghan ties, as foreign troops present in Afghanistan since 2001 steadily withdraw. The U.S. director of national intelligence said on Tuesday he did not expect President Hamid Karzai to sign a bilateral security agreement with Washington.
"United States Forces-Afghanistan has learned that 65 dangerous individuals from a group of 88 detainees under dispute have been ordered released from the Afghan National Detention Facility at Parwan," the U.S. military force said in a statement.
"The release of these detainees is a major step backward for the rule of law in Afghanistan," it said. "Some previously-released individuals have already returned to the fight, and this subsequent release will allow dangerous insurgents back into Afghan cities and villages."
Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/02/11/us-afghanistan-usa-detainees-idUKBREA1A1F920140211
arely staircase
(12,482 posts)bemildred
(90,061 posts)They want you gone, General, and that is no surprise.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)The Loya Jirga approved the BSA. Afghan wishes aren't really clear, but I imagine they want the $$$ and fear Taliban reprisal. I'd rather we leave, but I do feel bad for ordinary civilians over there.
bemildred
(90,061 posts)And I'd say their worries are well-founded.
Lasher
(27,661 posts)I wonder how many Americans were killed or wounded when these 65 individuals were captured? I wouldn't be surprised if some of these former detainees were helping plan attacks against the US right now.