H.E. Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Afghanistan Presidential candidate met with Senator John F. Kerry, Chairman of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee along with the U.S. Ambassador to Kabul, H.E. Karl E. Eikenberry. During the meeting, Dr. Abdullah conveyed the people of Afghanistan’s appreciation for continued support that the United States has provided for Afghanistan’s reconstruction effort during the past several years.

Senator Kerry congratulated Dr. Abdullah for the impressive Presidential campaign that he ran as a Presidential candidate. Dr. Abdullah discussed issues related to the Afghan Presidential elections as well as the developments that have taken place during the past several weeks. He added that the people of Afghanistan courageously went to the polls, despite security challenges, in an effort to choose their own political destiny. He added that despite problems with the elections, the Afghan people are confident that the ongoing audit and recount process would help to preserve the elections and that they were anxiously awaiting the results to be announced by the Electoral Complaints Commission and the Afghan Independent Election Commission.
Dr. Abdullah and Senator Kerry also spoke in detail about the United State’s ongoing review of its overall strategy in Afghanistan. Dr. Abdullah indicated that the deployment of additional U.S. troops that has been suggested by U.S. General Stanley McChrystal, would help to improve the general security situation in the country. He also added that the relevant Afghan institutions needed to do seriously focus on efforts in improving governance, rule of law, combating corruption and narcotics and focusing on increasing successful development projects. Dr. Abdullah and Senator Kerry also discussed several issues on how to overcome some the challenges at hand.

They also discussed plans on increasing the capacity of the Afghan national security forces, ANA and ANP, in terms of numbers and quality as well as how to effectively combat and defeat the insurgency. Dr. Abdullah indicated that focusing on successful development projects at the “grass roots level” in insecure provinces would definitely help to improve security. Both sides agreed that efficient coordination between Afghanistan and the international community would serve as an important factor in making further strides in the rebuilding effort.

They agreed to stay in close contact as the United States continues to provide its support for Afghanistan. Senator Kerry was on a brief trip to Kabul as part of his visit to the region.