United States Central Command congratulates the Afghan nation and welcomes President Karzai's announcement of areas intended for the second stage of security transition from ISAF to Afghan-led security forces. The vision for this transition to Afghan Security Force leadership was agreed to at the Lisbon Summit in November 2010. Because the Afghan Security Forces are standing up, the US forces can stand down and begin troop reductions, with completion by 2014, based on conditions on the ground. As our government has long said, the Afghans themselves must take responsibility for their future, for providing security, for strengthening governance, and for reaching a unifying political solution for peace.
The provinces and districts included in today’s announcement include areas in every region of the country and together are home to 50% of the Afghan population.
Transition is an essential pillar of the international community’s long-term commitment to Afghanistan. We and our ISAF partners respect Afghan sovereignty and will work together to ensure Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorism. As part of that commitment, NATO and the Afghan Government signed an “Enduring Partnership Declaration” in Lisbon. The United States continues to support the Afghan people and government as they work to build a more stable and peaceful nation. We remain committed to the goal of a region that is free from terrorism.
The provinces and districts included in today’s announcement include areas in every region of the country and together are home to 50% of the Afghan population.
Transition is an essential pillar of the international community’s long-term commitment to Afghanistan. We and our ISAF partners respect Afghan sovereignty and will work together to ensure Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorism. As part of that commitment, NATO and the Afghan Government signed an “Enduring Partnership Declaration” in Lisbon. The United States continues to support the Afghan people and government as they work to build a more stable and peaceful nation. We remain committed to the goal of a region that is free from terrorism.


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