Tuesday’s signing took place at the presidential palace compound in central Kabul. The BSA was signed by U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham and Afghan national security adviser Hanif Atmar inside a hall with a glittering chandelier and portraits of Afghanistan’s leaders over several centuries.
In the audience were Ghani and former political rival Abdullah Abdullah, who is now the chief executive of the unity government. After months of political tensions over a disputed vote, both men agreed to share power after a compromise deal was brokered by the United States, staving off the threat of ethnic rifts and violence.
After the signing of the pacts — Atmar and a senior NATO official signed the status-of-forces agreement — Ghani took the podium and assured dignitaries, as well as Afghans watching the nationally televised ceremony, that the BSA would not violate the country’s sovereignty and laws. He also assured Afghanistan’s neighbors that the extended presence of U.S. troops would pose no threat to them.
“I assure the nation that these agreements are in our national interest,” Ghani said. “If needed, these agreements can change with the consideration of the interests of both sides.”