President Karzai Holds Bilateral Meeting with President Bush
As part of his official visit to the United States, President Hamid Karzai held a bilateral meeting with US President George W. Bush on September 26. The two leaders discussed terrorism in the region, and security and reconstruction assistance to strengthen Afghanistan’s security and governance institutions. Empowering tribal leaders was discussed as a means to fight extremism in Pakistan and terrorism in Afghanistan. At a press conference following their meeting, President Bush said, “We had a chance today to reconfirm our strong commitment to work together for peace and freedom, and I'm proud of your leadership.” President Bush explained the different areas in which the United States and Afghanistan would continue to cooperate, such as security, reconstruction and counter-narcotics, and continued, “Your people have rejected extremism. Afghan forces are fighting bravely for the future of Afghanistan, and many of your forces have given their lives. The fighting in Afghanistan is part of a global struggle.” In a parallel address, President Karzai affirmed the strength of the partnership between Afghanistan and the United States, and said, “Terrorism was hurting Afghanistan way before Iraq or September 11. These extremist forces were killing people in Afghanistan for years, closing schools, burning mosques, killing children, forcing populations to poverty and misery. We are a witness in Afghanistan as to what they are and how they can hurt. We need more action around the world, in Afghanistan and elsewhere, to defeat extremists and their allies.”
