President Obama during a
lightning Memorial Day visit to Bagram Air Base in
Afghanistan. His
'invitation' to President Karzai to a meeting in his
own nation
was not appreciated, nor
was his claim that the war is coming to a 'responsible
end', even as it is necessary
for him to visit secretly and in the dark of night.
Obama Visit 'Annoys and Insults' Afghans (Afghanistan Times, Afghanistan)
"First, Obama should apologize to Afghans for inviting Karzai to Bagram Air Base, as
Afghanistan is ruled by the elected Afghan president, not by him. Furthermore,
he should stop lying to the world. The first truth that Afghans want to hear is
that the United States and its allies have flopped when it comes to eliminating
terrorism. ... If that is not the case, then key U.S. officials should stop
visiting Afghanistan under cover of darkness."
Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai: His refusal to sign the Bilateral Security Agreement with the United States until the U.S. pledges to end raids on Afghan homes and take steps to bring 'lasting peace and stability' to the country. President Obama's Memorial Day visit has not improved the situation.
Obama's
covert trip to Afghanistan on Sunday evening annoyed Afghans. On the one hand, the
U.S. president insulted Afghanistan's elected leadership, and on the other, he
demonstrated how insecure our country is despite the presence of coalition
forces since 2001. In Afghanistan, Obama's visit has been dubbed a failure because
it eroded the already meager support for Washington among Afghans. This is no doubt
justified, as the contradictions in what the U.S. commander-in-chief does and
says were clearly on display.
Addressing
U.S. troops at Bagram Air Base, Obama said that the
Afghan War would come to “responsible end” by the end of this year. Yet he
himself felt insecure enough when coming that his visit was kept secret. If U.S.
forces have been so successful, then why was Obama so reluctant to tell Kabul
about his trip? The question certainly lifts the lid on the harsh reality.
As
a matter of course, the White House always works under the delusion that it can
suborn any third world leader to accept its demands and unflinchingly respect
it. That is why the U.S. National Security Agency was permitted to record
almost every phone call in Afghanistan, whether local or international. The
revelation from whistleblower
WikiLeaks of the condemnable practice has perturbed the administration of
President Karzai and the people of Afghanistan as a
whole. The operation violated the nation's sovereignty and the rights of
Afghans.
Later,
Obama decision of to invite Karzai to a meeting - in
his own country - has further deteriorated tense relations between the two
administrations. The subsequent action of Obama added insult to injury.
While
the White House badly failed to influence the Afghan president, Karzai's
refusal may have served as a lesson, and exposed how little they have learned
about Afghanistan's culture and way of life over the past 13 years. White House
officials shouldn't expect the Afghan president to be at their beck and call like
the leaders of other developing countries, since his strength lies in Afghans proud
of their rich history, social norms, and prestige. Since he is a guest in Afghanistan,
the U.S. president should not have tried to act as a host.
Worshipers
of the almighty dollar should know that power and influence are useless when
they land in Afghanistan or talk to Afghans. Arrogant foreign leaders aren't
worth a penny in Afghanistan. If the United States wants to bring Afghans closer,
then Washington should win over the hearts and minds of Afghans. Otherwise,
they will routinely face failure in this country. As all and sundry in
Afghanistan are annoyed, and if he wants to avoid insulting Afghans on their
own soil, the U.S. president should make efforts to cleanse his administration's
Augean stable.
Posted By Worldmeets.US
First,
Obama should apologize to Afghans for inviting Karzai
to Bagram Air Base, as Afghanistan is ruled by the
elected Afghan president, not by him. Furthermore, he should stop lying to the
world. The first truth that Afghans want to hear is that the United States and
its allies have flopped when it comes to eliminating terrorism, which is
nurtured so well on other side of the Durand Line [in Pakistan].
If that is not the case, then key U.S. officials should stop visiting Afghanistan
under cover of darkness.
