Afghanistan–U.S Partnership for Security, Stability, Reform, and Counterterrorism

Joint Press Conference with U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter – Kabul

• Strategic Partnership: Afghanistan and the U.S. reaffirm long-term cooperation.
• U.S. Forces Appreciation: President Ghani thanks U.S. troops for sacrifices and support.
• Security Funding: Commitment to fund and strengthen Afghan forces for three years.
• Empowering Commanders: Gen. Nicholson given broader authority for operations.
• Troop Presence: 8,400 U.S. troops to remain supporting Afghan forces.
• Changed Threats: ISIS/Daesh emergence requires strategy adjustments.
• Peace Commitment: Government seeks sustainable constitutional peace.
• Anti-Corruption & Reform: Emphasis on transparency and proper resource management.
• Rights & Rule of Law: Uphold human rights, including women’s and children’s.
• Counterterrorism: Joint effort to prevent Afghan soil being used for terrorism.
• Infrastructure: Reconstruction and community connectivity continue despite risks.
• Afghan Sacrifice: Honoring personnel who risk lives to protect the nation.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Secretary Carter and your accompanying delegation! On behalf of the nation, the security and defense forces, and the government of Afghanistan, I welcome you—our longtime friend and strategic partner—to Afghanistan.

First, on behalf of the Afghan security and defense forces, I express my gratitude to all the men and women of the United States military who have stood shoulder to shoulder with us for our freedom over the years, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. I ask you to convey our deepest respect and enduring condolences to their families. Furthermore, I thank the more than one million men and women who have worn the uniform and helped us on our soil under your command. Every time you see them, please present the deep gratitude of the Afghan government.

I want to begin by thanking our own security and defense forces. After the completion of the transition process, which we worked on together, the loyal children of this homeland secured and protected our freedom at the cost of their blood. We thank you and President Obama for honoring their sacrifice and for making extremely significant decisions at the Warsaw Summit.

Your first decision concerned the funding of our security and defense forces for the next three years; an army cannot operate without resources. Our promise and clear program is that every dollar and every Afghani will be accounted for transparently. We are determined to increase our own share, as we proved last year; despite Afghanistan's dire economic situation, we increased our contribution to strengthening the security and defense forces and will continue to do so. However, the resources coming from abroad will be used with absolute transparency. As I stated in Warsaw, we want to bring this under conditions of clear management and a system-building framework. Alongside this, we guarantee the development of our economy so that by the end of these coming years, we can personally meet the majority of the requirements of our security and defense forces.

Second, I thank you deeply for the decision to grant General Nicholson special authorities. On behalf of our security and defense forces, the government, and especially in my capacity as Commander-in-Chief, I want to thank General Nicholson and his colleagues. Both General Campbell and General Nicholson have made ultimate efforts; they have stood by us, knowing neither day nor night, and there was never a time they did not respond to our needs. They have served in Afghanistan multiple times, but these are now specific stages, and we thank them.

The authorities granted to them are significant; each of these authorities is equivalent to twenty thousand armed forces. These powers hold great weight and have ensured that tasks which previously took us three or six months are now accomplished in three hours or three days. Our security and defense forces are profoundly grateful for the cooperation of General Nicholson, his colleagues, and the Department of Defense administered under your wise leadership.

The third point is the decision regarding the presence of 8,400 uniformed personnel in Afghanistan. We are specifically grateful to you and President Obama, as President Obama had promised the American people a reduction in troop numbers. The reason he changed his decision and took this new path was the "change in environment." The transition was based on the premise that the threat of terrorism was ending and the danger of Al-Qaeda was vanishing; in 2012, no one predicted ISIS. The environment changed. Yet, the Afghan government sought peace—both with the armed opposition and with its neighbors. All our efforts for peace were rejected by forces that have neither a goal nor a vision for a healthy future for Afghanistan, and who instead tried to lead this country to ruin.

As I mentioned to colleagues yesterday, a bridge that costs two million dollars to build—connecting our people so a child can go to school, a pregnant woman can reach a hospital, and a farmer can bring produce to the cities—is blown up for the sake of one thousand dollars.

It is necessary to clearly understand here that the Constitution of Afghanistan is our vision. The Afghan government is committed to implementing its Constitution and ensuring the rights and obligations defined therein, specifically for women, children, and every individual.

The decision made by the United States government is a decision for the future and the future generations of Afghanistan. Because of it, an atmosphere of confidence has been created, and a clear message has been sent to those forces that do not want peace and stability: they cannot achieve their sinister desires on the battlefield.

I want to state clearly once again that our commitment to the people is based on transparency, a comprehensive fight against administrative corruption, and the management of human resources. Therefore, there is no difference between our vision and the vision of our strategic partner, the United States.

Corruption is as dangerous as terrorism. Our commitment to the implementation of human rights and the rights of the child is universal. We have a clear hope that the future of Afghanistan, God willing, will be bright. Together, we will be proactive against the threats that exist from Paris and Brussels to the United States itself. Once again, I thank you for your visit and ask that you share your views with us.

Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter – Remarks 

Thank you very much, Mr. President. It is a great pleasure to be here and always an honor for me to return to Afghanistan. This is my third trip here as Secretary of Defense, and I am pleased to be back once again.

My visit comes on the heels of three major decisions that the United States has made regarding our cooperation in Afghanistan. First, we have enhanced the authorities of our commanders here in the field, particularly those commanded by General Nicholson. Second, we have reaffirmed our financial commitment to the Afghan security forces. And third, we have decided to retain a substantial U.S. force presence here into 2017.

I am also pleased to report that our allies — those who President Ghani, Dr. Abdullah, myself, and President Obama met with at the Warsaw Summit last week — intend to remain fully committed to the Resolute Support Mission here in Afghanistan and to assisting the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.

Today, I had very productive meetings and wide-ranging conversations with President Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah, and their security ministers. These discussions reaffirmed that we have strong partners here who share a common vision focused on a secure and prosperous future for the Afghan people.

It was also a pleasure to meet for the first time with Minister Habibi and Minister of Interior Jahed to discuss the future of our security partnership and the progress the Afghan security forces have made since assuming full responsibility for security in January 2015.

I look forward to working with them in the weeks and months ahead. As our coalition partners reiterated at the NATO Summit in Warsaw last week, they have confirmed their commitment to the financial sustainment of Afghan forces and the continuation of the Resolute Support Mission.

The Afghan security forces have demonstrated tremendous motivation, will, and resilience in the face of a persistent enemy. I have full confidence in the ability of the Afghan security forces to provide the security and stability that the Afghan people deserve. I commend them for fighting courageously last year during a difficult fighting season and for their continued dedication in the face of formidable challenges this year.

In fact, Afghan National Defense and Security Forces continue to step up. For the second year now, Afghan forces are fully responsible for their own security. Every day, nearly 320,000 Afghan soldiers and police serve courageously and many, far too many, have paid the ultimate price. I join President Ghani in honoring their sacrifices.

Now that Afghan forces are taking an even greater lead in providing security, we must build upon their successes and find ways to support and enable them more effectively. With that in mind, we also discussed President Obama’s announcement last week regarding our troop levels and the adjustment I recommended after consulting with General Nicholson, General Votel, and General Dunford. Maintaining a U.S. force presence of approximately 8,400 troops in Afghanistan will enhance our ability to continue progress on our two most central missions here: training, advising, and assisting Afghan forces so they can secure their nation, and supporting counterterrorism operations that prevent this nation’s territory from serving as a safe haven for terrorists against all of us.

Finally, in our discussions, we covered President Obama’s recent decision to grant additional flexibility to the U.S. commander here in Afghanistan. This added flexibility allows us to maximize the use and effectiveness of the forces already present to support Afghan forces and pursue our counterterrorism objectives. We earlier today met with General Nicholson to review how these additional authorities are being utilized to support Afghan security forces and advance our shared counterterrorism goals. This added flexibility, along with the integration of new aviation platforms, reflects our determination to make the most effective use of our resources in theater.

We are prepared to take these steps because we have a strong and stable partner in Afghanistan. President Ghani, in partnership with Chief Executive Abdullah, is advancing crucial reforms that are essential to securing the future of this nation. Progress on reforms is central to continued international funding commitments, and I encourage President Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah to continue moving forward with these reforms.

President Ghani — thank you for hosting us and our forces here and for the close working relationship that you and I have shared over many years. I remember when I first introduced you in the Pentagon in March 2015. The first thing you did was express gratitude to the men and women of the U.S. military for their sacrifices, and many Americans remember that very well. You also took the time to visit Arlington National Cemetery to honor the fallen — a deeply appreciated and meaningful gesture.

Now, as I have the opportunity to speak here, I want to deliver a message to the Afghan people. You, your families, and your communities have put yourselves at risk and made immense sacrifices. Yet you have brought this nation to this point of promise, potential, and strength. We are with you, we stand by you, and we will continue to work hard together to finish the mission we began.

Finally, I want to thank General Nicholson and our NATO partners for the daily work they do here to ensure a bright future for the Afghan people and a strong security partnership for us all. I also thank all the American, NATO, and Afghan troops who have served and sacrificed together over the past 15 years in the name of peace, security, and freedom — and who continue that mission today.

Thank you.