Karzai's visit to US termed positive
15 January, 2013
KABUL: The National Security Council of Afghanistan in a meeting last night termed as successful the recent visit of President Hamid Karzai to the United States of America. The meeting of the National Security Council was held at the Presidential Palace in Kabul with President Hamid Karzai in the chair, a president's office press release available with the Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) stated. President Hamid Karzai briefed the meeting about his visit to US, negotiations and agreements, the press release added. Respect for the national sovereignty of Afghanistan, maintenance of Afghan government, withdrawal of foreign troops from villages, control of Afghan government over prisons, technical and financial assistance of the US for Afghan security forces and expediting the peace process were the main issues on which the both sides were agreed, the pres release said. On the occasion, the Minister for Defence General Bismillah Mohammadi briefed the meeting about his visit with his American counterpart. He said America was ready to provide c-130 aircrafts to the Afghan National Army (ANA). General Bismillah said it was agreed that complete operation lead would be given to Afghan security forces till the upcoming spring. The Minister for Defence Dr Omar Zakhelwal informed the meeting about the American economic cooperation and said the assistance the US would spend through contractors in the past would now be spent through the budget of Afghanistan, and that the Afghan government would determine priorities of spending. He said America had pledged to provide assistance from $800 million to $1 billion for the budget of Afghanistan every year. On the occasion, the chairman of High Peace Council's secretariat informed the meeting about the US assistance with an expedited peace process. The meeting termed as positive and successful the recent visit of Hamid Karzai to America. The meeting also discussed import of explosives by a Turkish firm which are to be used in the reconstruction of eight gas wells in Jaraqdooq and Yatim Taaq areas of Jawzjan province. The National Security Council directed the Ministry of Interior and Minerals to allow the Turkish firm to import explosives to the country after conducting a complete survey of the works. End.
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