Afghanistan Indicates That A Security Pact With The U.S. Is Still Unresolved

Afghan President Hamid Karzai speaks during a news conference with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (not pictured) at the Presidential Palace in Kabul October 12, 2013. REUTERS/Jacquelyn Martin/Pool

Afghanistan Says Issues Unresolved On U.S. Security Pact -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Afghanistan and the United States have not yet agreed on several issues in a bilateral security pact, a senior Afghan spokesman said, raising the prospect that Washington may yet pull out all of its troops next year unless differences are ironed out.

Two years ago, the United States ended its military mission in Iraq with a similar "zero option" outcome after the failure of talks with Baghdad.

For almost a year, Washington and Kabul have been seeking to conclude a Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) that will help determine how many U.S. soldiers and bases remain in Afghanistan after most foreign combat troops exit by the end of next year.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters at the end of a visit to Kabul this month that there was just one issue outstanding - Washington's demand that its troops be immune from Afghan law and tried in the United States instead.

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Update: Kabul Sees Unresolved Issues In U.S. Pact -- Radio Free Europe

My Comment: I see the red flags popping up .... the Afghans do not want to give immunity to U.S. troops .... and the U.S. position is that this is non-negotiable. If this continues .... like what happened in Iraq .... do not be surprised to see a complete US withdrawal from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.