New Afghan envoy seeks Obama-Karzai talks

Karzai, who took office after US-led forces toppled the Taliban regime following the September 11, 2001 attacks, initially had a chummy relationship with president George W. Bush including frequent teleconference talks. — Reuters Photo WASHINGTON: Afghanistan's new ambassador to the United States said Wednesday he was seeking talks between Presidents Barack Obama and Hamid Karzai after strains in the wartime relationship. Eklil Hakimi, a veteran diplomat, said he proposed talks by video-conference between the two leaders as he formally presented his credentials to Obama at a ceremony at the White House. "The more we interact face-to-face, by phone or VTC (video-teleconference), the more our diplomats in Washington will be able to execute our mandated mission to strengthen our partnership with the United States," Hakimi said in a statement released by the Afghan embassy. Karzai, who took office after US-led forces toppled the Taliban regime following the September 11, 2001 attacks, initially had a chummy relationship with president George W. Bush including frequent teleconference talks. But Karzai has had strained relations with much of Obama's administration, which has taken him to task over allegations of corruption and of vote-rigging. Karzai on Sunday also renewed concern over casualties after Nato airstrikes that he said killed more than 50 civilians. Nato said it would probe the allegations. Obama hopes to start withdrawing troops in July and complete the pullout by the end of 2014, with a hope that Afghan forces will be able to take over security. Hakimi previously served as deputy foreign minister and took a leading role in an ambitious project to link Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India by a 1,700-kilometer (1,050-mile) gas pipeline.