Karzai worried over recent US courtship of Pak: Experts

Washington, Apr.18 (ANI): The relationship between US President Barack Obama with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai has turned sour in the recent past, and experts believe that Karzai fears the recent courtship of Pakistan is a preparation for granting Islamabad keys to war ravaged Afghanistan.

It may be noted that a certain section of the media had reported a few days ago that Karzai had allegedly threatened to join the Taliban if the international community kept pressuring his administration.

While Kabul has denied any such comments being made, the remark has left Washington fuming.

Experts pointed out that Karzai feels that the Obama Administration is dictating terms to him and fears that the White House may turn towards Pakistan.

"If we come down really hard on Karzai, all it does is confirm what he is saying: that we are trying to dictate policy, and will turn the country over to Pakistan and their interests," the Christian Science Monitor quoted Marvin Weinbaum, an Afghanistan analyst at the Middle East Institute in Washington, as saying.

"Karzai feels he's hostage to the internationals, and they feel they are hostage to him. So you have this frustration on both sides. It's been like that for a long time, and it seems to be getting worse," said Martine van Bijlert, co-director of the Afghanistan Analysts Network in Kabul.

Angry words lately between Karzai and the Obama Administration have raised questions about whether they can work together to stabilize the war torn country. (ANI)