For immediate release
Statement of Ambassador Said T. Jawad on the Fallen U.S. Soldiers in Afghanistan
May 20 , 2010
It is with great sadness to reflect that the number of American military casualties has reached one thousand precious lives in Afghanistan. Our history and my people and government will never forget these ultimate sacrifices for restoring freedom and hope to my country.
I would like to convey my deep condolences to the bereaved families and loved ones of the fallen heroes as we mourn the loss of all those Americans and Afghans, both civilians and military, who have given their lives to secure Afghanistan, to protect the U.S. homeland, and to maintain regional stability and global security.
Last week, I accompanied our President, Hamid Karzai, as he visited the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the Arlington National Cemetery to personally convey his deep gratitude for the ultimate sacrifices that American forces and civilians have made to ensure our safety and security. I will never forget a young soldier I met, who had lost all four limbs. We are all indebted to him. The President also visited Ft. Campbell in Kentucky and met with the families of soldiers to express to the U.S. deploying forces our sincere gratitude for their commitment and support; reminding them that thousands of courageous Afghan security forces are fighting and dying alongside American troops for the shared objective of safeguarding our safety, security and liberty. Our two Governments and nations are standing shoulder to shoulder to fight for security, peace, justice, and democracy so that Afghanistan becomes your long-term and steadfast friend and partner.
We are grateful for the significant contributions the American people have made to Afghanistan’s stabilization and reconstruction over the past nine years, as President Karzai recently told President Obama and the U.S. Congress. The Afghan people continue to proudly count on the U.S. as a longstanding, strategic partner to help us consolidate and further build upon our shared achievements to defend and protect our common values of pluralism and freedom.
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For further information please contact:
Abduljalil Ghafoory, (202) 292-4285
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