Newspapers criticize decision

Two Afghan newspapers on Monday lashed out at President Hamid Karzai's order to expel US special forces from Wardak province near the capital city of Kabul.

"Since Wardak is one of the insecure provinces in the country, the order from the president for eviction of US special forces from Wardak at this stage, on the one hand is important, and on the other, is dangerous," the daily Etilaat Roz said in its editorial.

Another newspaper, Hasht-e-Subh, said in its editorial that the presidential order would encourage Taliban militants.

The editorial, headlined "Why Taliban have free hand in Wardak and Logar", said the differences between the Afghan government and the coalition forces should be solved through negotiation.

Xinhua

(China Daily 02/26/2013 page11)