Afghan prisoner release "is of no concern to the U.S."- Karzai
- 10 years ago
Afghan President Hamid Karzai rejects U.S. criticism of his government's release of 65 detainees, viewed by Washington as dangerous militants, further fanning tensions with the United States as the international mission in Afghanistan winds down.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) AFGHAN PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI, SAYING:
"Afghanistan is a sovereign country. If the Afghan judicial authorities decide to release a prisoner, it is of no concern to the U.S., and should be of no concern to the U.S. "
Karzai, attending talks in Turkey, says the prisoners were all vetted before release.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) AFGHAN PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI, SAYING:
"Our intelligence reported having no file reference of any kind whatsoever."
In an unusually strong statement, the U.S. military force in Kabul says some of the released detainees had killed both Afghans and foreign soldiers and now pose a fresh threat.
The Obama administration has been pressing Karzai for months to sign a b
(SOUNDBITE) (English) AFGHAN PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI, SAYING:
"Afghanistan is a sovereign country. If the Afghan judicial authorities decide to release a prisoner, it is of no concern to the U.S., and should be of no concern to the U.S. "
Karzai, attending talks in Turkey, says the prisoners were all vetted before release.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) AFGHAN PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI, SAYING:
"Our intelligence reported having no file reference of any kind whatsoever."
In an unusually strong statement, the U.S. military force in Kabul says some of the released detainees had killed both Afghans and foreign soldiers and now pose a fresh threat.
The Obama administration has been pressing Karzai for months to sign a b