US, Afghans at Odds Over Timing of Security Pact Signing

\A dispute over timing is threatening to derail plans for a continued U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan, where a national assembly of tribal, community and elected leaders is meeting Friday to discuss a new security pact.A spokesman for President Hamad Karzai insisted Friday that the pact -- if approved by the assembly known as a "Loya Jirga" -- will be signed only after national elections scheduled for April, when Afghans will choose a new president.That was a direct rebuff to...

© La Voix de l'Amérique - vendredi 22 novembre 2013