HERAT, Afghanistan, March 23 (UPI) — A former Afghan warlord turned government minister said the country should not agree to further U.S.-led military operations there.
Water and Energy Minister Mohammad Ismail Khan, marking the ninth anniversary of his son’s death, told residents in the city of Herat that NATO forces in the country are not making things any safer and leaders should seek to end deals with nations that intend to “dominate” Afghanistan, Khaama Press said Saturday.
“For the development of Afghanistan, the Afghan government should only cooperate with nations that do not have any intention to dominate the country,” Khan said.
The comments come as the United States and Afghan officials negotiate a new status of forces agreement authorizing further military presence after 2014.
Khan’s son, Mirwais Sadiq, was the nation’s aviation minister before he was assassinated in 2004 when forces loyal to one of his father’s rival warlords attacked a car in which he was riding, al-Jazeera reported at the time.
Copyright 2013 United Press International, Inc. (UPI).
