Press Statement
Senator John Kerry calls on the President of Afghanistan
August 20, 2010
Senator John Kerry called on President Hamid Karzai today in Gul Khana palace in Kabul. They had a candid and productive conversation also joined by Foreign Minister Dr. Zalmai Rasool, National Security Advisor Dr. Rangeen Dadfar Spanta and US Ambassador Karl Eikenberry.
They discussed many issues of common interest to Afghanistan and the United States and joint approaches to shared challenges, including taking practical steps to end civilian casualties as we confront the enemy, rationalizing war on terror by addressing the real threat posed by sanctuary for terrorists, effectively implementing joint objectives of combating corruption on both sides and enhancing transparency to build confidence of the Afghan people both in the effectiveness of the Afghan government and contracting and spending mechanisms of the international partners.
Both the President and Senator Kerry emphasized the importance of strengthening the partnership and working cooperatively to meet the challenges ahead. Both sides agreed on many key elements of the way forward.
Senator Kerry agreed with President Karzai that it was of primary importance for Afghans to take the lead as soon as possible, with coalition support, in securing their nation.
Both sides also agreed that it was a key national security interest of Afghan government and its international partners to address corruption and its underlying causes comprehensively on both sides. Senator Kerry recognized the positive steps taken by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and President Karzai in that effort to date, and the importance of continuing to follow up on key pledges made in Kabul and London.
President Karzai reiterated his call on the international community to remove all parallel structures that undermine the authority of the Afghan government. Senator Kerry agreed and also assured the president of US government’s full support for President Karzai’s decree on eliminating of private security contractors.
The President and Senator Kerry agreed on the importance of strengthening the Major Crimes Task Force and the Sensitive Investigative Unit by developing proper statutory basis for these entities in line with the Afghan Constitution and the principles of human rights. Both sides agreed on ensuring that they would always operate as independent sovereign Afghan entities, run by Afghans, allowed to pursue their mission of enhancing transparency and combating corruption free from foreign interference or political influence.
Both sides agreed to continue the dialogue as a means to advance the common goal of building a better future for the people of Afghanistan.
For further information, please contact:
Office of the Spokesperson to the President of Afghanistan,
Tel.: +93 (20) 210 2853
+93 (20) 210 3705
www.president.gov.af
