Tribal elders in Afghanistan are in their second day of a meeting, known as a loya jirga, to decide the fate of a military pact with the United States. The proposed agreement would see thousands of U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan after a formal withdrawal next year. Addressing the gathering, Afghan President Hamid Karzai acknowledged there’s little trust between the two governments, but urged support for continued military ties.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai: “My trust with America is not good. I don’t trust them, and they don’t trust me. During the past 10 years, I have argued with them regarding the security of our people and search of our people’s houses, and they have made propaganda against me. Any decision you make here, you should consider the future of your generation’s prosperity and decide based on Afghanistan’s national interest. I once again repeat this, that having relations with the world is for our good and our prosperity. And at the same time, we should have our independence, which is our dignity.”

Karzai triggered a new disagreement on Thursday when he said he would not sign the proposed agreement until after Afghan elections next year. The United States has called for a deadline on signing an Afghan agreement before the end of this year.