Hagel Gets Update on Afghan Election From Dunford
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 6, 2014 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, currently on a trip to the Asia-Pacific region, received a telephonic update today on the election in Afghanistan from the top U.S. military commander posted there, according to a senior defense official traveling with the secretary.
Hagel placed a call this afternoon to Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the commander of the International Security Assistance Force, to get an update on the Afghan presidential election held yesterday, the defense official said.
The general immediately praised the work of Afghan security forces for their efforts in providing security, the official said. The low level of violence and high voter turnout, Dunford told Hagel, were credits to how far the Afghan security forces have progressed in competence and capability.
Dunford said it was too soon to predict the outcome of the election, but that the Afghan people proved their bravery and defiance of the Taliban in turning out in such high numbers, the defense official said.
Hagel thanked the general for his leadership, the official said, and asked that Dunford pass on his gratitude to the men and women of ISAF and the Afghan National Security Forces, who worked so hard to ensure the elections could occur.
The secretary also said he would like to stay in touch with Dunford as more information becomes available about the election results, the defense official added.
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