US officials rejected reports of apology to Afghanistan

KABUL: (MEP) – U.S. officials have rejected reports regarding Washington’s apology to Afghanistan for past mistakes by American troops.

National Security Adviser, Susan Rice denied reports that the United States was on the verge of a bilateral security agreement with Afghanistan.

She also called the reports regarding the issuance of a formal letter of apology by Obama administration as completely false. “No such letter has been drafted or delivered. There is not a need for the United States to apologize to Afghanistan,” Rice quoted by CNN said.

Rice further added, “Quite the contrary, we have sacrificed and supported them in their democratic progress and in tackling the insurgents and al Qaeda. So that (letter of apology) is not on the table.”

This comes as presidential palace officials said Tuesday that President Hamid Karzai and US Secretary of State had a brief discussion regarding the issues surrounding the bilateral security agreement, including exceptional operations which will be conducted by US forces against the suspected civilian houses.

The presidential palace following a statement also said that US Secretary of State John Kerry offered to write a letter to the Afghan leaders and people offering U.S. assurances about a future security relationship, khaama reported.

A U.S. official speaking on the condition of anonymity also told CNN that the letter Kerry offered would also clarify the U.S. position on past issues, such as civilian casualties and a pledge to do everything possible to avoid them.