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U.S., Afghan Leaders Meet At White House

May 12, 2010

Hamid Karzai has arrived for talks at the White House with U.S. President Barack Obama, as the Afghan president continues his visit to Washington aimed at strengthening the Afghan-U.S. relationship.

The two leaders are due to hold a news conference after the meeting, scheduled for 1:15 p.m. local time.

Karzai on May 11 met with U.S. soldiers who had been injured fighting in Afghanistan during a visit to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington.

Karzai thanked the soldiers for their service, and described meeting them as an emotional experience.

"It was, once again, a stark reminder that we together have a difficult journey to make, and that the young men and women of our countries are willing to sacrifice for the sake of our security in Afghanistan and in the United States," Karzai said.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who held talks with members of the top-level Afghan delegation on May 11, both pledged that the United States would not abandon Afghanistan.

This week's U.S.-Afghan talks -- which are focusing on military, development, and Afghan reconciliation issues -- come after weeks of tensions between the two sides after Karzai accused the West of responsibility for corruption in Afghanistan.

compiled from agency reports

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/US_Afghan_Leaders_To_Meet_At_White_House/2040055.html

Copyright (c) 2010. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.