Secret US and Afghanistan talks could see troops stay for decades

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Guardian, 13 June 2011
Jason Burke weighs the implications of the Afghan-US strategic agreement ans says that Washington wants it finished in summer, before Obama’s declaration on a frist troop ‘drawdown’. This clashes with the Afghan idea to have such an agreement (or its priciples) agreed by a Loya Jirga. Apart, there are a few hurdles to be taken: Afghans want a clause that bases (US or joint) are not used against neighbouring countries. And finally: ‘a strategic partnership agreement could also clash with efforts to find an inclusive political settlement to end the conflict with the Taliban’.