By 1st Sgt. Marvin Baker CENTCOM Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Afghanistan’s president spoke briefly to the media Wednesday morning at MacDill Air Force Base but his message to the American people was clear.
President Hamid Karzai said the Afghan people are grateful for the continuing support that is gradually making his nation a better place to live.
“I’m here at CENTCOM to thank you for the sacrifices made for my country’s security,” Karzai said. “I thank the Tampa community for the help of CENTCOM and the Florida National Guard.”
Karzai reminded the Tampa media during his 5-minute news conference that the Florida National Guard has been stationed in Afghanistan training the Afghan National Army.
The 48-year-old president also met with Senior National Representatives at CENTCOM to tell the coalition partners that the Afghan people are grateful for their work toward making Afghanistan a better nation. {Click on image for photo details}
Karzai said the sacrifice the coalition partners have made, is no doubt providing a better future and a better economy for Afghanistan, but is also helping to rebuild schools and is giving rise to women’s rights.
ReplyDeleteKarzai spent about an hour talking with coalition members but also met with Gen. John Abizaid, the commander of CENTCOM. Abizaid and Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry, the commanding general of Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan, flanked Karzai during the news conference.
Marine Corps Col. David Greco, the deputy coalition coordinator, said Karzai’s visit with coalition members was a short one but he really wanted to spend some time with SNRs and address their efforts on the Global War on Terror.
“He really wanted to talk to the coalition,” Greco said. “His message was one of thanks, but it wasn’t just for the Afghan people, it was for everyone.”
Greco added that while addressing the SNRs, Karzai noticed a service member with a Pakistani shoulder patch in the audience. “He said ‘I recognize you from across the room, brother,’” Greco said of Karzai.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have had varying approaches on how to handle the war on terror along the rugged, mountainous border between the two countries. In a recent United Nations speech, Karzai called for the destruction of safe havens and elaborate networks operating in the region to recruit, train, finance, arm and deploy terrorists.
“I am not critical of Pakistan,” Karzai said. “I am seeking more coordinated and an intense approach to terror. Afghanistan has to do more, Pakistan has to do more, we all have to do more. It’s not criticism, it’s a request.”
Greco said Afghanistan and Pakistan have a shared vision of security. He said Karzai and Pakistani President Pervez Musharref have talked about agreements to stop cross-border activity.
Karzai’s trip to Tampa lasted less than 24 hours and came at the end of nearly two weeks in North America. He spoke at the U.N., addressed Canadian Parliament and met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and held high level talks with the Bush Administration.
Following his trip to Tampa , Karzai met with President George W. Bush and Musharref before returning to his homeland. This was Karzai’s first trip to CENTCOM since becoming interim President of Afghanistan in 2002.