U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld

South Asia (a State Dept./IIP webpage)

21 December 2005

(Secretary of defense visits Kabul two days after troop reductions announced)

By David Shelby
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington – U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, during a surprise visit to Kabul, Afghanistan, December 21, confirmed the continued U.S. commitment to supporting Afghanistan’s fledgling democracy and rooting out the remaining Taliban and al-Qaida elements that seek to destabilize the country.

“We certainly remain committed to our long-term relationship, the strategic partnership between our two countries," wire reports quoted Rumsfeld as saying.

"We will continue to be focused on rooting out the Taliban and al-Qaida that still exist in causing difficulties for your country,” he added.

According to a Pentagon news source, Rumsfeld assured Afghan President Hamid Karzai that the planned reduction of U.S. troops in Afghanistan during the coming year does not reflect a drop in the United States’ commitment to Afghanistan’s security.

The Pentagon announced December 19 that it intends to withdraw between 2,000 and 3,000 of its 19,000 troops from Afghanistan by summer 2006.  The announcement corresponded with the inauguration of the new Afghan National Assembly, viewed by many in the international community as a significant political milestone for a country long plagued by civil war and extremist rule.

Rumsfeld told reporters that he does not believe Osama bin Laden is in a position to exercise control over what remains of the al-Qaida network.

“I think it’s interesting that we haven’t heard from him in a year, or almost a year,” he said.  “If he is still alive and functioning, I think he’s spending the major fraction of his time trying to avoid being caught.”

Rumsfeld’s stop in Afghanistan followed a visit to U.S. troops participating in relief efforts for victims of Pakistan’s October earthquake.

For additional information on U.S. policy, see South Asia.