Americans Charged in Pakistan
Acting Deputy Spokesman Toner (Mar. 17): "The court formally charged the five American citizens with the following charges: criminal conspiracy to commit terrorist activities in Pakistan, conspiracy to wage war against the powers in alliance with Pakistan, conspiracies to commit depredation on territories of Afghanistan and the United States." Daily Press Briefing»
U.S. Joins Other Creditors, Cancels Afghanistan Debts Owed to Paris Club Members
The decision represents a great achievement for Afghanistan and reflects the international community’s acknowledgment of the great strides the country has made in strengthening its economy. Lifting the debt burden inherited by the Afghan government marks a crucial step on Afghanistan’s road to economic sustainability. Media Note»
U.S. and Pakistan Strategic Dialogue
On March 24, the U.S. and Pakistan will hold their first Strategic Dialogue at the Ministerial level in Washington, DC. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi will co-chair the talks. Media Note»
Travel
Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O. Blake, Jr. is traveling to India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Belgium March 17-30. This is his first visit to Afghanistan and Pakistan as Assistant Secretary. (Mar. 17) Media Note»
Multiple Bombings in Lahore
Secretary Clinton (Mar. 12): "The United States extends its deepest sympathy to the victims of today’s bombings in Lahore, and to the families and friends of those killed and injured. There is no justification for killing innocent people." Statement»
Mutual Interests
Assistant Secretary Crowley (Mar. 10): "Iran is a neighbor of Afghanistan. Obviously, it has a legitimate interest in the future of Afghanistan. There have been times in the past where the interests of Iran and the United States have coincided." Daily Press Briefing»
FY11 International Affairs Budget
Secretary Clinton (Feb. 24): "The budget we are presenting today is designed to protect America and Americans and to advance our interests and values. ... [there] is a $4.9 billion increase over 2010.... of that increase, $3.6 billion will go to supporting efforts in “frontline states” – Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq." Testimony»
Water
Special Representative Holbrooke (Mar. 2): "[W]e talked about resources. Water is a huge problem,... in Pakistan and Afghanistan. ... [W]e have got a water resources task force now set up in the Department to examine how we can additionally help the countries of the area, and particularly Pakistan with the water issue." Full Text»
India and Pakistan
Assistant Secretary Crowley (Mar. 2): "[W]e have encouraged both India and Pakistan to continue their dialogue. They are neighbors. As Richard just said, share the same strategic space. So we will continue to talk to both countries and encourage the very kind of dialogue we saw in recent days." Daily Press Briefing»
Afghanistan and Pakistan
Assistant Secretary Crowley (Feb. 24): "[W]e have been pushing for significant action on both sides of the border. We certainly welcome cooperation on the security front between Afghanistan and Pakistan. We have helped to facilitate that over the past months and years." Remarks to the Press»
Building the Future of Afghanistan
Ambassador Verveer (Feb. 23): "To visit Afghanistan is to become aware of just how many capable Afghan women leaders risk their lives every day in order to work alongside men to create a better future for their country." Full Text»
NATO in Afghanistan
(Feb. 22): "We want to bring NATO and Russia closer, but in order to advance areas of cooperation like missile defense, like greater transparency and conventional forces in Europe, like Afghanistan." The Future of NATO»
U.S.-Afghan Relations
Assistant Secretary Crowley (Feb. 22):"... [W]e are placing significant emphasis on reducing the impact of these operations on the Afghan population,... In conflict, mistakes are made, or there are unfortunate impacts that could not have been anticipated. Our view is exactly General McChrystal’s view, as he made clear to President Karzai in apologizing for the tragic loss of civilian lives. And as NATO has indicated, it will be thoroughly investigated." Daily Press Briefing»
Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs deals with U.S. foreign policy and U.S. relations with the countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
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Afghan Governance in Central Helmand
