© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Afghanistan Still Relies On U.S., President Ghani Reiterates

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

When Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani sat down over the weekend and with my colleague Renee Montagne, he said he's heard American soldiers say they left their hearts in Afghanistan while serving there. Ghani says messages like that move him to tears. He has made clear he doesn't want his country to be a burden on the United States. But after 14 years of war, Afghanistan still relies on American support. And Ghani is hoping to convince President Obama not to pull troops out as quickly as planned. The Afghan leader met with top U.S. officials yesterday ahead of a visit to the White House today. Here's NPR's Michele Kelemen.

MICHELE KELEMEN, BYLINE: At the end of a day of intense meetings at Camp David, President Ghani and his chief executives stood alongside the U.S. secretaries of state and defense to thank Americans for the U.S. investment in blood and treasure in Afghanistan.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

PRESIDENT ASHRAF GHANI: Tragedy brought us together - the tragedy of 9/11. Now we've created an enduring frame of partnership.

KELEMEN: The U.S. has about 10,000 troops still in Afghanistan, and Ghani has been asking the U.S. to show some flexibility in its pullout plans. He's expecting to hear more about that from President Obama today. But already, Afghanistan got one key sign of support. Defense Secretary Ash Carter says he'll be seeking funding from Congress to beef up Afghanistan's security forces to 352,000 and to sustain them through 2017.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

ASH CARTER: That is the force that will be in the lead and responsible for security in Afghanistan, with a trained advise-and-assist role from the United States and its coalition partners and counterterrorism activities.

KELEMEN: Secretary of State John Kerry says the surest way to peace and stability is through reconciliation. He says the U.S. supports President Ghani's efforts to reach out to Pakistan to try to start a peace process with the Taliban. Kerry seems to be trying to strengthen Kabul's hands with the meetings here and pledges of support.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

JOHN KERRY: All of these underscore to any Taliban, to anybody who wants to engage in violence, that we are prepared for the long term to support our friends in Afghanistan.

KELEMEN: Kerry announced an $800 million program to promote Afghan reforms and development. That was more welcome news for President Ghani, a former World Bank economist, who says his country, while rich in mineral resources, remains poor.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

GHANI: We want to translate that natural wealth into a social wealth.

KELEMEN: Ghani says he has a sense of urgency when it comes to reforming Afghanistan's economy and rooting out corruption. Michele Kelemen, NPR News, Washington. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

Michele Kelemen has been with NPR for two decades, starting as NPR's Moscow bureau chief and now covering the State Department and Washington's diplomatic corps. Her reports can be heard on all NPR News programs, including Morning Edition and All Things Considered.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.