By MATTHEW PENNINGTON
Associated Press Writer
KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Sunday removed two of the country’s top security officials – each with longtime ties to the Americans – over last week’s attack on a national conference to explore peace with the Taliban.
The removals of the interior minister and intelligence chief surprised U.S. officials and may cause major disruption within Afghanistan’s intelligence and security establishment at a critical juncture – as the U.S. and NATO escalate the war and the Afghan government commits to offering peace to the insurgents. The move is likely to fuel speculation over differences within the Karzai administration over its efforts to reconcile with the Taliban – including the possible release of hundreds of detained militant suspects.
The head of the National Directorate of Security, Amrullah Saleh, was a senior figure in the Northern Alliance that helped the U.S. oust the Taliban regime in 2001. As a young man, Interior Minister Hanif Atmar served in Afghanistan’s Communist-era intelligence agency and fought mujahedeen opposed to the Soviet occupation.