Fox News
Expand
Browse All Video
Watch Live

You're watching...

Obama: 'Afghanistan will have a long-term partner' in the US

Details

  • Description

    President holds news conference with Afghan President Karzai

  • Duration 14:24
  • Date

Clips

Also in this playlist...

Latest News

Auto-advance: ON

Auto-advance
View All

Transcript

This transcript is automatically generated

Is as President Obama has just finished a meeting with the president of Afghanistan over the future of the US role in that country.

They're gonna about to begin a joint press conference.

This guy Hamid Karzai said to be a manic depressive that he's -- also is a controversial comments about us.

Was he had to say today.

-- -- during the NATO summit in my home town of god.

The city the reflects the friendship between our peoples including many African Americans as well as the -- family.

So Mr.

President welcome.

We meet at a critical moment.

The 33000.

Additional forces that I ordered to Afghanistan.

And serve -- honor.

They completed their mission and -- promised.

Return home this past what.

The transition is well -- -- -- -- nearly 90%.

Of Afghans will live in areas where Afghan forces are in the lead for their own secure.

This year will mark another milestone.

Afghan forces will take the lead for security across the entire country.

And by the end of next year 4014.

The transition will be complete.

Afghans will have full responsibility for their security.

And this war.

Will come to a responsible end.

This progress is only possible because -- incredible sacrifices of our troops.

And our diplomats.

The forces of -- many coalition partners.

And the Afghan people who've endured extraordinary -- In this war more than 2000 of America's sons and daughters have given their lives.

These are patriots that we honor today tomorrow and forever.

And as we announced today the next -- I will present our nation's highest military decoration.

The -- of honor to staff sergeant Clinton -- shape for his -- service in Afghanistan.

Today because of the courage of our services.

President Karzai and I have been able to review our shared strategy.

With the devastating blows we've struck against al-Qaeda our core objective.

The reason we went to war in the first place.

Is now within reach.

Ensuring that al-Qaeda can never again use Afghanistan to launch attacks.

Against our country.

But the same time.

We pushed the -- bottom out of their strongholds.

Today most major cities and most Afghans are more secure.

And insurgents have continued to lose territory.

Meanwhile Afghan forces continue to grow strong.

This plan to have some 352000.

Afghan soldiers and police are now in training or on duty.

Most missions are already being led by Afghan forces.

And of all the men and women in uniform and Afghanistan.

Vast majority are Afghans were fighting and dying for their country every day.

We still face significant job.

But because this progress our transition is on track.

But the NATO summit last year we agreed with our coalition partners -- Afghan forces will take the lead for security in mid -- thirteen.

President Karzai and his team have been here for several days we've shared vision for how we're gonna move ahead.

We consulted with our coalition partners and we will continue to do so.

And today we agreed that as an Afghan forces take the lead and as President Karzai announces the final phase of the transition.

Coalition forces will move to a support role this -- Our troops will continue to fight alongside Afghans when needed.

But let me say it as plainly as I -- starting this spring.

Our troops will have a different mission.

Training.

Advisor.

Assisted.

Afghan forces.

It will be -- historic moment and another step toward.

Poll Afghan sovereignty something -- -- the President Karzai cares deeply about as do the Afghan people.

This sets the stage for the further reduction of coalition forces we've already reduced our presence in Afghanistan to roughly 66000.

US troops.

Pledge will continue to bring our forces home at a steady pace and in the coming months all announce the next phase -- brought out.

We're responsible -- down the protects the gains.

Our troops have made.

President Karzai and I also discuss the nature of our security cooperation after point 42.

Our teams continue to work toward a security agreement.

And as they do they will be guided by our respect for Afghan sovereignty.

And by -- too long term tasks which would be very specific.

And very narrow.

First training and assisting Afghan forces.

And sect targeting counterterrorism missions targeted counterterrorism missions against al-Qaeda and its affiliates.

Our discussions will focus on how best to achieve these two tests at -- point fourteen and it's our hope that we can reach an agreement this year.

Ultimately security gains must be matched by political progress so we re committed to our nations to a reconciliation process between.

The Afghan government and the -- President -- updated me on the Afghan government's road map to peace and today we agreed.

But this process should be advanced by the opening of -- -- in my office to facilitate talks.

Reconciliation.

Also requires constructive support from across the region including pockets.

We welcome recent steps that have been taken in that regard -- -- look for more tangible steps.

Because a stable and secure Afghanistan.

Is in the interest not only the Afghan people in the United States but of the entire region.

And finally we reaffirmed the strategic partnership that we signed last your -- An enduring partnership.

Between two sovereign nations this includes deepening ties of trade and commerce.

Strengthening institutions.

Development education.

And opportunities for all champions.

Men and women.

Boys and girls.

This sends a clear message to Afghans into the region is Afghan stand up -- will not stand alone the United States in the world stands what.

Let me close by saying that this continues to be a very difficult mission.

Our forces continue to serve and make tremendous sacrifices every day.

The Afghan people.

Make significant sacrifices every -- Afghan forces still need to grow strong.

We remain vigilant against insider attacks.

Lasting peace and security will require governments and development -- delivers for the Afghan people.

And an end to safe havens for al-Qaeda and its -- all this will continue to be our work.

But make no mistake.

Our path is clear and we are moving forward.

Every day more Afghans are stepping up and taking responsibility for their own security.

And as they do our troops will come home.

And next -- this long war will come to a responsible end.

President Karzai thank you and your delegation for the progress we've made together and for your commitment to the goals that we share.

A strong and sovereign Afghanistan where Afghans find security.

Peace prosperity and dignity.

And in pursuit of that future Afghanistan won't have it long term partner in the United States of America.

Mr.

President.

Good.

Thank you very much.

Should president fault but they're very gracious.

Warm welcome.

To me and Afghan delegation and this visit to Washington.

And -- -- rehearsals I mentioned during -- talks into their house handled the crowds that you -- there.

The presidency and I discussed today.

Been in great detail.

All of the relevant issues.

Between the two countries.

I was happy to see that.

We have -- focus on some of the importance.

Issues forecasts.

Concerning don't sovereignty.

We agreed on the the complete regional detention centers and detainees to Afghan solvent.

And that this will be implemented to.

Soon enough for my they -- to Afghanistan.

We also discussed.

All aspects of transition.

To.

Afghan governance and securities.

I'm very happy to hit from the president does the also -- that -- -- -- that.

In the spring this year.

Without Afghan forces will be fully responsible for providing security and protection -- people.

And that the international forces for American forces will be -- No longer.

-- -- Afghan villages that the hospital be.

That both Afghan forces to.

Provide -- help people in security and protection.

That we also agreed to.

On the steps that you should be taking into it in the peace because it's.

Which is all highest priority for Afghanistan.

We agreed on.

I'm -- but out of an office and then -- come in in doha.

Where.

-- -- -- would engage in direct talks with the representatives of the high council for peace.

Where would be seeking that help all of the creative entries those countries cities including.

Cracks.

We will be trying our best together -- it is the United States and our other allies to they tend.

Peace and stability to Afghanistan assume -- possible.

And -- find all of it means that we have within our power.

-- -- so that Afghan people can live in security and peace and would put.

Prosperity and educate their church.

The president and I also also discussed the economic transition in Afghanistan and all that entails for Afghanistan.

Once the transition to Afghan forces completed -- the both of these informants -- forces of withdrawal from Afghanistan.

We hope that the dividends of that transition economic committee for Afghanistan would be beneficial to the Afghan people and -- Not.

Adverse effects on down economy and the prosperity that your game.

In the past many years.

We also discussed the usual in action in Afghanistan and the importance -- prediction for the Afghan people and with the hope that will be conducting a free and fair election in Afghanistan where.

Our friends -- international community in particular the United States will be assisting in net.

Conducting those addictions of course.

Movement where Afghanistan will -- The right environment for conducting elections without interference and without.

And you consent -- -- for the Afghan.

People.

We also discussed.

Yeah.

Then they bit off it detail and in the environment that we have.

All -- -- -- the bilateral security agreement between Afghanistan and the United States and I informed the president.

That the Afghan people.

Opportunity.

In the Billy Joseph the call quality strategic partnership agreement between us in the United States.

Have given their approval to this relationship indeed value it -- -- one that's good for Afghans.

So in that complicates the my lack of security agreement is.

One that I don't people -- and I'm shall we were conducted in detail.

Where -- interest of the United States -- dangers of Afghanistan would be kept in mind.

We had.

A number of the issues also talked about during our conversations and perhaps.

Many times and in and in that conversation.

Beginning with a -- -- schools.

I and thank the president for the year helped out the United States has given -- people.

For all -- that we have gained the past ten years.

And that those -- will be kept by and he's founded what you're looking for pieces and and stability in Afghanistan including district often constitution.

Thought also thanked the president and and endorsement of him -- sacrifices of American.

Men and women in uniform -- or other countries.

Accordingly and I also -- The President Obama off the sacrifices of don't people of the immense sacrifices of Afghan people in the past ten years.

-- for -- service men and -- the Afghan people.

The news all Afghanistan.

Standing.

-- -- showed it.

-- America.

As a sovereign independent country.

But.

In.

Cooperation.

And and watch.

Thank you mistress than what was done there and.

Load More