Obama: Progress in Afghanistan, But Gains Fragile
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Date: 12/17/2010 9:20:32 AM
Sender: VOA
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Obama: Progress in Afghanistan, But Gains Fragile
President Barack Obama delivers a statement in the White House Dec. 16, 2010, on the the Afghanistan-Pakistan Annual Review. From left are, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Vice President Joe Biden, the president, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman Marine Gen. James Cartwright.
In the review of U.S. strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan he announced on Thursday, President Barack Obama pointed to progress in Afghanistan, and cooperative efforts with neighboring Pakistan, in the fight against al-Qaida and its extremist allies.
In the 24 hours before the formal release of the review, Obama spoke with Afghanistan＇s President Hamid Karzai and Pakistan＇s President Asif Ali Zardari about the report＇s findings and future steps.
Obama said the United States and its partners are "on track" to achieve their goals, and he presented a broad picture for America＇s military presence in Afghanistan. "We are focused on disrupting, dismantling and defeating al-Qaida in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and preventing its capacity to threaten America and our allies in the future," he said.
The president said the goal is not to defeat "every last threat" to Afghanistan＇s security or to conduct nation-building. It is up to the people of Afghanistan, he said, to secure their country.
Many of the questions reporters directed at Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and military Joints Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman General James Cartwright had to do with Pakistan.
Pointing to what she called broad military and civilian engagement with Pakistan, Clinton said cooperation has led to "tangible results on the ground." "They moved 140,00 troops off the Indian border. They waged an ongoing conflict against their enemies who happen also to be the allies of our enemies. They began tor recognize what we see as a mortal threat to Pakistan＇s long-term sovereignty and authority. That was not something that was predicted two years ago that they would do. They have done it," she said.
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