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Gates holds talks in Afghanistan Gates holds talks in Afghanistan
(about 2 hours later)
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has begun a visit to Afghanistan, following President Barack Obama's decision to send 30,000 more troops.US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has begun a visit to Afghanistan, following President Barack Obama's decision to send 30,000 more troops.
Mr Gates has held talks with President Karzai, and will meet US soldiers.Mr Gates has held talks with President Karzai, and will meet US soldiers.
He said his message was that the US was "in this thing to win". He also said he would tell Afghan officials that Washington was a long-time partner.He said his message was that the US was "in this thing to win". He also said he would tell Afghan officials that Washington was a long-time partner.
In the US, America's top soldier bluntly told troops: "We are not winning, which means we are losing."In the US, America's top soldier bluntly told troops: "We are not winning, which means we are losing."
Speaking to soldiers - including some bound for Afghanistan - Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen said the message to insurgents "keeps getting better and better and more keep coming".Speaking to soldiers - including some bound for Afghanistan - Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen said the message to insurgents "keeps getting better and better and more keep coming".
Mr Gates said that in his talks with Mr Karzai, he would discuss ways of implementing the US decision to send further troops.Mr Gates said that in his talks with Mr Karzai, he would discuss ways of implementing the US decision to send further troops.
As the security situation improves and we're able, over time, to reduce our forces Robert GatesAs the security situation improves and we're able, over time, to reduce our forces Robert Gates
On his way to Kabul, he said he would tell his hosts that the US intended "to be their partner for a long time".On his way to Kabul, he said he would tell his hosts that the US intended "to be their partner for a long time".
But he said they would also talk about training up Afghan security forces for an eventual US withdrawal.But he said they would also talk about training up Afghan security forces for an eventual US withdrawal.
"As the security situation improves and we're able, over time, to reduce our forces, the civilian, developmental, economic and other kinds of relations between us will become the predominant part of the relationship," the Reuters news agency quoted him as saying."As the security situation improves and we're able, over time, to reduce our forces, the civilian, developmental, economic and other kinds of relations between us will become the predominant part of the relationship," the Reuters news agency quoted him as saying.
UK Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth is also in Afghanistan on an unannounced visit.UK Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth is also in Afghanistan on an unannounced visit.
He has arrived in Helmand Province, where he will meet British troops, following the announcement of the 100th UK military death there this year.He has arrived in Helmand Province, where he will meet British troops, following the announcement of the 100th UK military death there this year.
CorruptionCorruption
Mr Obama has ordered 30,000 more US troops to be sent to Afghanistan as quickly as possible, bringing US troop strength in the country to more than 100,000.Mr Obama has ordered 30,000 more US troops to be sent to Afghanistan as quickly as possible, bringing US troop strength in the country to more than 100,000.
Nato allies in Afghanistan have agreed to contribute another 7,000 soldiers between them.Nato allies in Afghanistan have agreed to contribute another 7,000 soldiers between them.
The US will have more than 100,000 soldiers in AfghanistanThe US will have more than 100,000 soldiers in Afghanistan
Announcing the surge, Mr Obama said the mission in Afghanistan was to defeat al-Qaeda, reverse the Taliban's momentum and deny them the ability to overthrow the government.Announcing the surge, Mr Obama said the mission in Afghanistan was to defeat al-Qaeda, reverse the Taliban's momentum and deny them the ability to overthrow the government.
The president has said the US will start to pull out of Afghanistan by July 2011.The president has said the US will start to pull out of Afghanistan by July 2011.
But the BBC's Martin Patience in Kabul says Mr Gates will want to reassure Mr Karzai that the withdrawal will depend on the situation on the ground and the adequate training of Afghan security forces.But the BBC's Martin Patience in Kabul says Mr Gates will want to reassure Mr Karzai that the withdrawal will depend on the situation on the ground and the adequate training of Afghan security forces.
Mr Gates is also expected to use his visit to discuss efforts to curb corruption in Afghanistan.Mr Gates is also expected to use his visit to discuss efforts to curb corruption in Afghanistan.
Mr Karzai, who was recently re-elected in a poll marred by widespread fraud, is expected to name his new cabinet within days.Mr Karzai, who was recently re-elected in a poll marred by widespread fraud, is expected to name his new cabinet within days.
Mr Gates said the US would be "watching the appointments that get made" and that it was important to have "capable and honest ministers" in the crucial roles, the Associated Press news agency reported.Mr Gates said the US would be "watching the appointments that get made" and that it was important to have "capable and honest ministers" in the crucial roles, the Associated Press news agency reported.
The US is running out of patience with Afghan promises to tackle corruption and now wants to see clear action taken against senior officials found to be corrupt, says our correspondent.The US is running out of patience with Afghan promises to tackle corruption and now wants to see clear action taken against senior officials found to be corrupt, says our correspondent.
On Monday, the mayor of Kabul was sentenced in his absence to four years in prison for corruption, on charges related to more than $16,000 (£9,800) of public money.On Monday, the mayor of Kabul was sentenced in his absence to four years in prison for corruption, on charges related to more than $16,000 (£9,800) of public money.
Abdul Ahad Sahebi was the first high profile official to face such charges under Mr Karzai's second term. Abdul Ahad Sahebi was the first high-profile official to face such charges under Mr Karzai's second term.
His whereabouts are not clear. One report suggested he had been arrested late on Monday, while another said he was at work in his office as usual.His whereabouts are not clear. One report suggested he had been arrested late on Monday, while another said he was at work in his office as usual.