Karzai Faces Life - and Elections - without American Friends

In a telephone conversation with Kabul on Sept. 17, 2008, then-US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice -- at the time, the world's most powerful woman -- coolly leveled a stinging accusation at Karzai: "If you continue to criticize America, we will no longer cooperate with you." Karzai's response was proud and defiant: "I will not be silent, and I will not stop promoting the interests of my people and their children."

"These Americans do not understand that, although we are their friends, we are not their servants. They want to treat us like colonized generals. They don't understand that we are a proud nation. I would rather die honorably than be their powerless vassal." It was a turning point in the relationship between the protective power and its protégé.
Karzai Faces Life - and Elections - without American Friends


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