US Defense Secretary says US Pursues President Karzai’s Goal of Peace and Stability

American Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates announced after a meeting with President Karzai that the US and its allies are pursuing President Karzai's goal of Afghan-led and Afghan-owned initiative to ensure peace and stability.

During a joint press availability following talks with President Karzai in the Palace on Monday, Secretary Gates referring to the re-integration program to the Taliban, said thousands of Afghans were fighting for the Taliban "out of economic necessity or because they or their families have been intimidated."  Mr. Gates stated it was important to create conditions so these people can rejoin Afghan society, but reconciliation must be on the Afghan government's terms, under which "those who are reconciling have agreed to abide by the Afghan constitution and to put down their arms and disassociate with al-Qaida and to rejoin Afghan civil society."

Secretary Gates welcomed the objective of increase in the number of Afghan security forces saying, "I support President Karzai's goal of 300,000 Afghan soldiers and police by the end of next year."  Gates added, " I will continue to work with our NATO allies and other international partners to get more trainers and mentors."
  In answer to a question about corruption, he said endemic corruption harms people confidence to the government and said he was concerned of billions of dollars in aid to Afghanistan that was now constituting a source of corruption in the country. He said was committed in investigating the problem.

To a question about Ambassador Holbrooke's recent comments at Harvard who said almost every Pashtun family has someone involved with the Taliban, Secretary Gates said, " I have a great deal of respect for the senior representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador Holbrooke, but that doesn't mean I agree with everything he says, including that."

President Karzai said he discussed several issues of mutual interest with the Secretary including situation in Afghanistan and the region, his visit to Marjah and the expectations of the people of the area. The other issue of focus, he said was the reconciliation and the reintegration with the Taliban, which the President said he was happy to get again the US confirmation on it.

The other issue of most concern was the widespread corruption that affects projects that are contracted outside the government control by foreign organizations and donors. The President said he asked Secretary Gates to follow up the issue as this was a big hurdle in the fight against corruption in the country.

President Karzai said "Peace Jirga" that would be convened in late April will welcome Afghans from all walks of life all across the nation. "The objective will be to get guidance from the Afghan people on how to move forward

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