( CNN ) -- A major missing piece threatens to hold up a security deal between Afghanistan and the United States : President Hamid Karzai 's signature . The Afghan President told U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice Monday that he is n't ready to approve the Bilateral Security Agreement yet and `` outlined new conditions for signing the agreement , '' according to a statement released by the White House . Rice told Karzai that delaying the deal -- which would allow for the presence of a limited number of U.S. troops beyond next year -- until after Afghanistan 's 2014 elections `` is not viable , '' the White House said . `` It would not provide the United States and NATO allies the clarity necessary to plan for a potential post-2014 military presence , '' the statement said . `` Nor would it provide Afghans with the certainty they deserve regarding their future , in the critical months preceding elections . '' So what happens if Karzai does n't sign it soon ? U.S. and NATO troops could pull out of Afghanistan earlier than expected . `` The U.S. would have no choice but to initiate planning for a post-2014 future in which there would be no U.S. or NATO troop presence in Afghanistan , '' the White House said . On Sunday a vast majority of 2,500 Afghan elders voted to recommend the joint security agreement with the United States and urged Karzai to sign it before the end of the year . Karzai had said he would follow their recommendation under one condition -- that U.S. forces do not conduct house raids . `` If U.S. military forces conduct military operations on Afghan homes even one more time , then there will be no BSA and we wo n't sign it , '' Karzai said on Sunday . `` They should give assurance about this to us before I sign it . '' But then he moved the goal posts , refusing to sign until after the presidential election next spring . His last-minute decision to delay signing the pact was both classic Karzai -- a tricky negotiator to the last -- and a breakaway move that provides political cover for any U.S. officials who prefer the so-called zero option of leaving no U.S. troops in Afghanistan . It 's a decision that could also have political implications for Karzai in Afghanistan , shoring up his anti-American credentials ahead of next year 's presidential election . Karzai himself can not stand again for president under the current constitution , but he remains highly influential in Afghan politics , whose entire cast he has helped shape since the U.S. invasion in 2001 . Abdullah Abdullah , who ran against Karzai in 2009 before dropping out of the race amid allegations of election fraud , told CNN 's `` Amanpour '' on Monday that political motivations are clouding Karzai 's approach . `` These negotiations between Afghanistan and the United States are being delayed not because of the content of the Bilateral Security Agreement , '' Abdullah said , `` but primarily because of the personal feelings or personal interests of President Karzai . '' CNN 's Nick Paton Walsh , Christiane Amanpour and Masoud Popolzai contributed to this report .
President Hamid Karzai says he wo n't sign a security deal until after elections . That 's `` not viable , '' U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice says . The delay could mean U.S. troops pull out of Afghanistan earlier than expected .