Secret US and Afghanistan talks could see troops stay for decades

Secret US and Afghanistan talks could see troops stay for decades

Russia, China and India concerned about 'strategic partnership' in which Americans would remain after 2014

American and Afghan officials are locked in increasingly acrimonious secret talks about a long-term security agreement which is likely to see US troops, spies and air power based in the troubled country for decades.

Though not publicised, negotiations have been under way for more than a month to secure a strategic partnership agreement which would include an American presence beyond the end of 2014 – the agreed date for all 130,000 combat troops to leave — despite continuing public debate in Washington and among other members of the 49-nation coalition fighting in Afghanistan about the speed of the withdrawal.

American officials admit that although Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, recently said Washington did not want any "permanent" bases in Afghanistan, her phrasing allows a variety of possible arrangements.

"There are US troops in various countries for some considerable lengths of time which are not there permanently," a US official told the Guardian.

British troops, Nato officials say, will also remain in Afghanistan long past the end of 2014, largely in training or mentoring roles.

Although they will not be "combat troops" that does not mean they will not take part in combat. Mentors could regularly fight alongside Afghan troops, for example.

Keep electing bought out politicians and troops will continue to stay there for decades. The only way for America to get out of there is to elect Ron Paul, all others politicians will continue the ``Afghan mission``...

In the UK, I don't think there's even a good politician as honest as Ron Paul to force such a withdrawal.

We won't even leave Germany, much less a place that is full of what our nation runs on...