Afghan Leader Criticizes U.S. on Conduct of War

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http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/26/world/asia/26afghan.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

By CARLOTTA GALL
Published: April 26, 2008
KABUL, Afghanistan — President Hamid Karzai strongly criticized the British and American conduct of the war here on Friday, insisting in an interview that his government be given the lead in policy decisions.


Massoud Hossaini/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
President Hamid Karzai says the American-led coalition in Afghanistan needs to do more to respect Afghans’ independence.

Mr. Karzai said that he wanted American forces to stop arresting suspected Taliban and their sympathizers, and that the continued threat of arrest and past mistreatment were discouraging Taliban from coming forward to lay down their arms.

He criticized the American-led coalition as prosecuting the war on terrorism in Afghan villages, saying the real terrorist threat lay in sanctuaries of the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Pakistan.