By Ian Davis, NATO Watch
In his final address to the Afghan parliament on 15 March, President Karzai said the country did not need US or any other foreign troops to remain in Afghanistan once the NATO combat mission ends in December. During an hour-long speech, Karzai said that the Afghan military already protects 93 percent of the country and is ready to take over completely. He also reiterated that he would not sign a bilateral security agreement (BSA) with the United States.
In contrast, Zahir Tanin, Afghanistan's UN ambassador, told the UN Security Council two days later that he was "certain" Kabul would soon sign a BSA, which would allow some US and alliance troops to remain in the country after the NATO combat mission ends. Tanin said the Afghan people had demonstrated at the Loya Jirga (grand council) in November 2013 that they "believe in the importance of continuing strategic relations with the United States, NATO and the wider international community".