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 President Barack Obama (L) and Afghan President Hamid Karzai sign a strategic partnership agreement at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) | ||||||||||||
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KABUL: US President Barack Obama landed in Afghanistan under a veil of secrecy and high security to sign a post-2014 partnership deal designed to secure a "future of peace" after the misery of a decade of war.
A year to the day after the killing of Osama bin Laden, the architect of the September 11 attacks that drew America into the Afghan quagmire, Obama descended under the cover of darkness for a swift and symbolic visit.
He signed a post-war partnership deal with President Hamid Karzai, told US troops their sacrifice had made a "light on the horizon" ahead, and was to make a major televised address to the American people on the progress of the war.
"Neither Americans nor the Afghan people asked for this war, yet for a decade we've stood together," Obama said early Wednesday, signing a 10-page pact pledging US aid to Afghanistan after 2014 when NATO combat troops leave.
"I'm here to affirm the bond between our two countries and to thank Americans and Afghans who have sacrificed so much over these last ten years," he said at Karzai's presidential palace.
"We look forward to a future of peace. Today we're agreeing to be long-term partners."
The pact foresees the possibility of American forces staying behind to train Afghan forces and pursue the remnants of Al-Qaeda but does not commit Washington to specific troop or funding levels for Afghanistan
A year to the day after the killing of Osama bin Laden, the architect of the September 11 attacks that drew America into the Afghan quagmire, Obama descended under the cover of darkness for a swift and symbolic visit.
He signed a post-war partnership deal with President Hamid Karzai, told US troops their sacrifice had made a "light on the horizon" ahead, and was to make a major televised address to the American people on the progress of the war.
"Neither Americans nor the Afghan people asked for this war, yet for a decade we've stood together," Obama said early Wednesday, signing a 10-page pact pledging US aid to Afghanistan after 2014 when NATO combat troops leave.
"I'm here to affirm the bond between our two countries and to thank Americans and Afghans who have sacrificed so much over these last ten years," he said at Karzai's presidential palace.
"We look forward to a future of peace. Today we're agreeing to be long-term partners."
The pact foresees the possibility of American forces staying behind to train Afghan forces and pursue the remnants of Al-Qaeda but does not commit Washington to specific troop or funding levels for Afghanistan
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