US, Afghanistan Strike Prison Handover Deal

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Source: VOA

Afghan detainees, seen through a mesh wire fence, prepare for noon prayers inside the Parwan detention facility near Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan, March 23, 2011.

The United States has agreed to hand over control of the main U.S. military detention center in Afghanistan to Afghan authorities, paving the way for a strategic deal to be signed between both countries.

Afghan Defense Minister General Abdul Rahim Wardak and top American military commander General John Allen signed a memorandum of understanding Friday on a process to transfer control of the prison at Bagram Airbase in Parwan province within six months.

General Allen said the memorandum is an "important step forward in our Strategic Partnership negotiations" and in keeping with the desires of a decision by a "loya jirga" (traditional national assembly) and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.


Read more: http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/south/US-Afghanistan-Strike-Deal-on-Prison-Handover-142047953.html

[Robb]

1. Well, this should go smoothly.

Reminds me of my Navy uncle, who had a trick he called "here you go!" where he'd put on a big smile and hand off whatever he was finished with -- an empty glass, a sack of trash -- ambush-style to whoever was closest and stupid/inattentive enough to just take it because he said "here you go!" with such pleasantness.

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2. I have to admit I wonder how long we will keep paying for Bagram,

even though we have given up "control" of it.