Karzai accuse NATO for much death and misery in Afghanistan

Afghan president Hamid Karzai on Monday criticized the NATO mission in Afghanistan and said the alliance has brought much death and misery to Afghanistan. President Karzai said little security was achieved in Afghanistan due to 12-year Western war efforts. “On the security front the entire Nato exercise was one that caused Afghanistan a lot of suffering, a lot of loss of life, and no gains because the country is not secure,” Mr Karzai told the BBC. Karzai criticized NATO for conducting operations to eliminate militants in Afghan villages which often led to civilian casualties, but no focus was made on Taliban sanctuaries in neighboring Pakistan. “I am not happy to say that there is partial security. That’s not what we are seeking. What we wanted was absolute security and a clear-cut war against terrorism,” he said. President Karzai also pointed towards a power-sharing government with the Taliban and said this is his top priority to ensure peace and security across the country, and the Afghan government is actively in talks with the Taliban group. However, he insisted that if Taliban want to be elected by Afghan people to run the country then they should participate in the elections. President Karzai also ensured that the return of the Taliban group will not sacrifice the tenuous gains on the status of women. “The return of the Taliban will not undermine progress. This country needs to have peace. I am willing to stand for anything that will bring peace to Afghanistan and through that to promote the cause of the Afghan women better,” he said.