Ashraf Ghani: Afghanistan is Deeply Indebted to America

Ashraf Ghani, the President of Afghanistan, who has traveled to the United States, spoke in Congress on Wednesday, April 5, stating, "Afghanistan is deeply indebted to America." According to the Associated Press, Mr. Ghani expressed gratitude for the military and civilian support from the U.S. and assured that he would stand firm against insurgents with American cooperation. He stated, "We are deeply indebted to America and the soldiers who lost their lives, lost limbs during bombings, or families who lost loved ones in violent terrorist attacks." The President of Afghanistan added, "We are deeply indebted to many Americans who came to build schools for us, restore water wells, and heal our sick. We also appreciate the help of the American people and know that it is their taxes that have shaped this cooperation, and that is why we are talking together today." Official statistics indicate that 2,200 American forces have been killed since the start of military operations against the Taliban in the country in 2003. Just hours before Ashraf Ghani's speech in the U.S. Congress, six people were killed and more than 30 were injured in a suicide attack in Afghanistan. The President of Afghanistan received a warm welcome from members of Congress – both Republican and Democratic representatives. American lawmakers were dissatisfied with some positions and statements made by former President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan. The White House announced on April 4 that the U.S. would maintain its current 9,800 military forces in Afghanistan until the end of 2015 instead of reducing their numbers. Representatives from both the Republican and Democratic parties in the U.S. Congress supported and welcomed this decision from the White House. During his speech in the U.S. Congress, Ashraf Ghani stated that the militants of the "Islamic State" or ISIS are a serious and clear threat to Afghanistan and other Central and Western Asian countries. The President of Afghanistan said, "Terrorist groups that aim to destabilize regional governments are looking for new places to operate. We are on the front lines of this fight, but terrorists accept no borders and need no passport to spread their message of hatred and discord." He also called on all leaders, intellectuals, and millions of followers of Islam around the world to take a stand against extremist Islam and speak out against it. In this context, the President of Afghanistan ordered an investigation into the burning of a woman in Kabul, following protests and gatherings in Afghanistan in response to the murder and burning of Farkhunda. 9,800 U.S. troops will remain in Afghanistan until the end of 2015.