Kabul foiled plot against Afghans: Karzai

Iran Press TV

Fri Jun 28, 2013 12:51AM GMT

Kabul has foiled a foreign plot against Afghans that was hatched by the opening of the Taliban's political office in Qatar, Afghan President Hamid Karzai says.

“Since the opening of the office was against the agreement and promises we had been given, we firmly opposed it and aborted a plot against Afghans,” Karzai said on Thursday in the capital.

“We certainly agree that there is no prospect for improving relations with the Taliban or, any agreement with the Taliban, unless the issue of terrorism is directly addressed,” he added.

On Wednesday, Afghan President blamed the United States for tensions in his country by allowing the opening of the office in the Qatari capital Doha.

The tension between Washington and Kabul broke out on June 18, when the Taliban militant group opened its new political office under the name of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

The Afghan government, which says it wants to lead any talks with militants, has demanded a full explanation as to how the US and Qatar allowed the Taliban to raise its flag over its office in Doha.

Senior Afghan officials in Kabul say the Taliban militants will be able to use the office to raise funds for their campaign in Afghanistan.

The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but after almost 12 years, insecurity remains across the country.

The increasing number of military casualties in Afghanistan has caused widespread anger in the US and other NATO member states, undermining public support for the Afghan war.

MAM/HN