KABUL -- A former Afghan governor has denied allegations that he was involved in the May 2009 killing of a U.S. colonel and a female U.S. soldier in Kapisa Province.
"The Wall Street Journal" quoted U.S. investigators on March 29 as saying that Ghulam Ghous Abu Bakar, former governor of Kapisa and Takhar provinces, had ordered a suicide bombing that killed the pair.
"This political conspiracy should be revealed by those who are plotting such things and those who are commenting and participating in it," Abu Bakar told RFE/RL's Parwan-based correspondent Ahmad Hanayesh on March 30. "They should follow this, and I want to confront them and stand up against them. Whoever says this should say it to me face to face."
The newspaper also reported claims that the ex-governor plotted to kill U.S., British, and French ambassadors in 2009 during a visit to Kapisa that was ultimately canceled.
Abu Bakar categorically denied the allegations or links to insurgents.
"This is absolutely wrong. I was sick at that time and was going to make a trip to India," he told RFE/RL. "When I was told that [the ambassadors] were coming, I postponed my operation in India in order to receive them in Kapisa. I made arrangements for them to come visit the province, but unfortunately they were told something else that I am hearing from you now.
"This is not true. A governor would never do such a thing," Abu Bakar continued. "And why should a governor work in this government if he commits such an act and is such a traitor? I completely reject this."
Abu Bakar said Kabul's Western allies are "friends who have sacrificed their blood, lives, and money" for Afghanistan.
U.S. officials reportedly want Abu Bakar prosecuted, but no charges have been filed.
Abu Bakar, a former mujahedin commander, was sacked in 2010 amid corruption allegations.
"The Wall Street Journal" quoted U.S. investigators on March 29 as saying that Ghulam Ghous Abu Bakar, former governor of Kapisa and Takhar provinces, had ordered a suicide bombing that killed the pair.
"This political conspiracy should be revealed by those who are plotting such things and those who are commenting and participating in it," Abu Bakar told RFE/RL's Parwan-based correspondent Ahmad Hanayesh on March 30. "They should follow this, and I want to confront them and stand up against them. Whoever says this should say it to me face to face."
The newspaper also reported claims that the ex-governor plotted to kill U.S., British, and French ambassadors in 2009 during a visit to Kapisa that was ultimately canceled.
Abu Bakar categorically denied the allegations or links to insurgents.
"This is absolutely wrong. I was sick at that time and was going to make a trip to India," he told RFE/RL. "When I was told that [the ambassadors] were coming, I postponed my operation in India in order to receive them in Kapisa. I made arrangements for them to come visit the province, but unfortunately they were told something else that I am hearing from you now.
"This is not true. A governor would never do such a thing," Abu Bakar continued. "And why should a governor work in this government if he commits such an act and is such a traitor? I completely reject this."
Abu Bakar said Kabul's Western allies are "friends who have sacrificed their blood, lives, and money" for Afghanistan.
U.S. officials reportedly want Abu Bakar prosecuted, but no charges have been filed.
Abu Bakar, a former mujahedin commander, was sacked in 2010 amid corruption allegations.