In a telephone conversation with President Karzai, US Defense Secretary asked for a week time for a complete transfer of the Bagram Prison to Afghanistan sovereignty, office of the president reported.
Secretary Hagel telephoned President Karzai yesterday evening (Afghanistan time) and sought one week time to carry out the full handover of the Prison.
President Karzai agreed with the new time request and reminded Secretary Hagel that the transfer has been delayed several times in the past and that this time the handover should take place.
The transfer of the detention center at Bagram air base is a persistent source of tension, with Karzai’s office warning in a statement on Wednesday that “any more delays could harm the bilateral relations.”
U.S. commanders want to ensure that dangerous prisoners will not be released back to the battlefield. But Karzai has raised alarms by warning that any “innocent” prisoners being held at the facility will be released.
A planned transfer of prisoners being held by the U.S. at Bagram air base outside Kabul to Afghan control was delayed because the two sides couldn’t agree on the terms of the handover. Karzai had reportedly said he would release some of the prisoners after the transfer.