Article

2010-04-07 Afghanistan

White House would consider canceling Karzai visit

In a new indication of strained relations, the White House said Tuesday it would consider canceling an upcoming visit by Afghan President Hamid Karzai if he continues to make troublesome remarks. Such a move would be a remarkable diplomatic slap likely to infuriate the mercurial leader.

Despite the public reproach, senior administration officials said the tough statement was really meant as a warning and a sign of Washington's continued unhappiness with the Afghan leader's comments. The officials, one of whom described it as "a shot across the bow," said canceling Karzai's invitation was not being seriously considered, at least not yet.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the administration's strategy, which they were not authorized to discuss publicly.

Karzai has infuriated the White House with accusations that the United Nations and the international community interfered in last year's fraud-tarnished presidential election in Afghanistan.

Karzai also threatened to join the Taliban insurgency if the U.S. continues pressuring him publicly to do more to end graft, cronyism and electoral fraud, more comments that stunned U.S. officials.

Posted by Fred 2010-04-07 08:41|| || Front Page|| [12 views ] Top

#1 Obama, piss off every ally we have, mmmkay?

Posted by newc 2010-04-07 09:37|| 2010-04-07 09:37|| Front Page Top

#2 And what do we do when Karzai says NATO troops can stay but US troops must leave Afghanistan immediately?

Posted by Besoeker 2010-04-07 09:47|| 2010-04-07 09:47|| Front Page Top

#3 I say let the US troops leave and let NATO take over without us or the funding. It wouldn't take long before he would be singing another tune if he could sing at all.

Posted by chris 2010-04-07 11:16|| 2010-04-07 11:16|| Front Page Top

#4 Form some committees and focus groups, look thoughtful, play a couple rounds of golf, and after a month announce a decision will be made soon.

Couple weeks later order a full withdraw to get the troops home in time for Thanksgiving.

Unfortunately Karzai will be too busy attempting to form the new Afghan coalition ahead of schedule (US troops were promised to leave soon anyways, this would just be sooner than expected) to worry about the sudden rabbit population explosion...just a guess.

Posted by swksvolFF 2010-04-07 11:20|| 2010-04-07 11:20|| Front Page Top

#5 the White House said Tuesday it would consider canceling an upcoming visit by Afghan President Hamid Karzai if he continues to make troublesome remarks.

Apparently, Karzai doesn't realize he is dealing with the ONE. Karzai, if you would just lower your head a little, look at your feet, and say: "Yas suh massah, what duz ya wan me to do?"

Posted by JohnQC 2010-04-07 17:05|| 2010-04-07 17:05|| Front Page Top

#6 And what do we do when Karzai says NATO troops can stay but US troops must leave Afghanistan immediately?

Watch the high-fives in the Oval Office?

Posted by Pappy 2010-04-07 21:25|| 2010-04-07 21:25|| Front Page Top

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