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David Cameron makes surprise visit to Kabul, pledges British support David Cameron makes surprise visit to Kabul, pledges British support
(about 9 hours later)
KABUL — British Prime Minister David Cameron made a surprise visit to Kabul on Friday, pledging to support Afghanistan’s new coalition government as it seeks to enact reforms and prevent the Taliban from resurging as most foreign troops prepare to leave by year’s end.KABUL — British Prime Minister David Cameron made a surprise visit to Kabul on Friday, pledging to support Afghanistan’s new coalition government as it seeks to enact reforms and prevent the Taliban from resurging as most foreign troops prepare to leave by year’s end.
Cameron, the first top Western leader to visit since an electoral crisis was resolved, said Britain was committed to working with the new government to rid Afghanistan of al-Qaeda, which he said was in the interests of both nations. Britain, like many Western countries, is concerned about terrorist plots on its soil by jihadists trained in Afghanistan and other militant havens.Cameron, the first top Western leader to visit since an electoral crisis was resolved, said Britain was committed to working with the new government to rid Afghanistan of al-Qaeda, which he said was in the interests of both nations. Britain, like many Western countries, is concerned about terrorist plots on its soil by jihadists trained in Afghanistan and other militant havens.
“We all share a common goal, which is a more secure, stable and prosperous Afghanistan,” Cameron told reporters at a news conference with Afghanistan’s new president, Ashraf Ghani. “We want an Afghanistan that is no longer a safe haven for terrorists or a threat to the security of either of our countries.”“We all share a common goal, which is a more secure, stable and prosperous Afghanistan,” Cameron told reporters at a news conference with Afghanistan’s new president, Ashraf Ghani. “We want an Afghanistan that is no longer a safe haven for terrorists or a threat to the security of either of our countries.”
Cameron added that Britain has paid “a heavy price” for its efforts to bring stability to the country, a reference to the 453 British troops who have died fighting the Taliban insurgency over the past 13 years. After the United States, Britain has contributed the most troops to the international force that has sought to stabilize the country since the United States and its allies intervened in Afghanistan after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Cameron added that Britain has paid “a heavy price” for its efforts to bring stability to the country, a reference to the 453 British troops who have died fighting the Taliban insurgency over the past 13 years. After the United States, Britain has contributed the most troops to the international force that has sought to stabilize the country since the United States and its allies intervened in Afghanistan after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
“In Britain you will always have a strong partner and a friend,” said Cameron. “In Britain, you will always have a strong partner and a friend,” Cameron said.
Cameron’s visit comes four days after Ghani was sworn in as the country’s new leader, following months of political tensions that raised the specter of ethnic rifts and violence. Both Ghani and his main rival, Abdullah Abdullah, accused each other of electoral fraud, but they accepted a power-sharing deal brokered by the United States and United Nations. Abdullah is now the country’s chief executive, the equivalent of its prime minister.Cameron’s visit comes four days after Ghani was sworn in as the country’s new leader, following months of political tensions that raised the specter of ethnic rifts and violence. Both Ghani and his main rival, Abdullah Abdullah, accused each other of electoral fraud, but they accepted a power-sharing deal brokered by the United States and United Nations. Abdullah is now the country’s chief executive, the equivalent of its prime minister.
Since its inauguration Monday, the new government has acted quickly on some of the country’s most pressing issues. It signed a long-awaited bilateral security pact with Washington, allowing for roughly 9,800 U.S. troops to remain in Afghanistan after 2014 to train Afghan forces and conduct counterterrorism operations. Since its inauguration Monday, the new government has acted quickly on some of the country’s most pressing issues. It signed a long-awaited bilateral security pact with Washington, allowing for roughly 9,800 U.S. troops to remain in Afghanistan after 2014 to train Afghan forces and conduct counterterrorism operations.
A similar agreement with NATO was also signed that calls for a few thousand troops to remain in noncombat roles after the end of the year. Some British forces are also set to remain in country as military trainers.A similar agreement with NATO was also signed that calls for a few thousand troops to remain in noncombat roles after the end of the year. Some British forces are also set to remain in country as military trainers.
On Wednesday, Ghani reopened an investigation into widespread fraud at Kabul Bank, believed to be one of the world’s largest instances of corruption. The bank shut down in 2010 after losing nearly $1 billion, mostly deposited by international donors. On Wednesday, Ghani reopened an investigation into widespread fraud at Kabul Bank, believed to be one of the world’s largest instances of corruption. The bank shut down in 2010 after losing nearly $1 billion, mostly deposited by international donors.
Since the inauguration, the Taliban has staged several suicide attacks in Kabul and in other parts of Afghanistan, underscoring the tense security environment.Since the inauguration, the Taliban has staged several suicide attacks in Kabul and in other parts of Afghanistan, underscoring the tense security environment.
Cameron on Friday pledged $287 million in annual development aid until 2017 for the country. “We will not leave Afghanistan alone,” he said. On Friday, Cameron pledged $287 million in annual development aid until 2017 for the country. “We will not leave Afghanistan alone,” he said.