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             US Security Adviser Rice to Meet Karzai in Afghanistan

   U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice is in Afghanistan, where she
   will meet President Hamid Karzai Monday amid uncertainty about the
   future of American troops in the country.
   Spokesman Patrick Ventrell confirmed the trip, Rice`s first outside the
   United States as national security adviser, adding that the meeting was
   added to her itinerary of "travel around country," visiting with U.S.
   troops, development experts and diplomats.
   On Sunday, Mr. Karzai ignored a recommendation by the country`s grand
   assembly, or Loya Jirga, to immediately sign a new bilateral security
   agreement with the United States.
   He said Afghanistan needs more time to ensure the United States is
   committed to peace.
   The Loya Jirga endorsed the bilateral security agreement with the
   United States Sunday and called for the president to sign it
   immediately.
   Mr. Karzai repeated his position that a signing should wait until after
   Afghanistan`s presidential election in April.
   U.S. officials have rejected a delay, saying they would not be able to
   form long-term plans on a troop presence without an agreement in place
   by the end of this year.
   The security agreement spells out terms under which U.S. troops will
   remain in Afghanistan to assist the government in its war against
   Taliban insurgents.
   It would take effect January 1, 2015. All international combat forces
   in Afghanistan are set to withdraw by the end of 2014.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-security-adviser-rice-to-meet-karz
   ai-in-afghanistan/1797021.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-security-adviser-rice-to-meet-karzai-in-afghanistan/1797021.html