Afghan's top security officials replaced over attack

KABUL - President Hamid Karzai removed two of the country's top security officials, each with longtime ties to American forces, Sunday 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 could cause major disruption within Afghanistan's intelligence and security establishment at a critical juncture: as the United States 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 United States oust the Taliban in 2001. Interior Minister Hanif Atmar, as a young man, served in Afghanistan's Communist-era intelligence agency and fought mujahedeen opposed to the Soviet occupation.

"There will be a massive fallout from these resignations both in the Interior Ministry and the NDS as alliances are shuffled," said Candace Rondeaux, senior analyst on Afghanistan for the International Crisis Group think tank.

"They appear to be forced resignations, and reflect significant worries of Karzai's administration over the loyalty of those leading key security agencies in the country," she said.

Karzai's May visit to Washington had eased strains in the bilateral relationship. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, said he respected the Afghan president's authority to make this "difficult decision." He said he remained confident in Karzai's "ability to appoint credible replacements to lead these critical organizations."