U.S. Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry
Farah, Afghanistan
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
President Karzai, respected leaders, elders and religious leaders of Farah province, thank you for receiving me. It is a sad occasion that brings us together today.
This is the third occasion in which I have come to your country to represent my government. Twice before I came as a soldier – working in partnership and common cause with soldiers of your army, members of your police, and international military allies.
This time I return as a civilian, with the great honor of being selected by President Obama to serve as the Ambassador of the United States of America to Afghanistan. I am proud and humbled.
I have been to Farah many times and received with gratitude the warm friendship of the people of this great province. I come today under very different and tragic circumstances – for the people of Bala Baluk, and for all of us. Our President and Secretary of State have both expressed condolences for the loss of life that has occurred.
The memory of this incident and the loss you all have suffered will be an important part of Afghanistan’s history. And yet, we must remember all aspects of this event. This incident began with your brave police and army, together with their American partners, battling the Taliban. But it ended in a terribly tragic way, with loss of civilian lives as well as your policemen.
As painful as this incident was, however, it is important that we understand where we are today. It has now been over seven years since the United States and the international community came to Afghanistan, with the overwhelming consent and support of the Afghan people. In partnership, and with the critically important role of you the people, we defeated foreign international terrorists and their supporters, and we forced them out of your country.
Since that time, we have worked together as friends. We have seen progress and successes, as we have seen disappointments and failures. Despite our early successes and our positive intentions, it became clear in time that we were not achieving the progress we all wanted and expected. Our President recognized this challenge and launched a new strategy, with new and increased resources. With this new mandate, you can be assured that we will work with purpose and clarity of commitment, as partners with your government and the people of Afghanistan.
Our strategy in the months ahead will be grounded in the goals of achieving the necessary conditions for peace and stability, enabling an environment for economic confidence and improved livelihoods, and governance that meets the needs of the people and the country as a whole. Our combined success will ensure that foreign terrorists and their supporters will never take control of your destinies.
The Afghan and American Governments are unshaken in our shared view of the fundamental importance of our continued partnership, including between our Armed Forces and your Army and National Police. I assure the people of Afghanistan that the United States will work tirelessly with your Government, Army, and Police, to find ways to reduce the price paid by civilians, and avoid tragedies like what occurred in Bala Baluk. As U.S. Ambassador, and with my previous experience as a soldier, I make this a solemn pledge.
Afghans and Americans must remain mindful that we are together facing an enemy whose goals are to take away the progress, peace, freedom and economic opportunities that we all cherish and for which we fought over seven years ago.
Let me conclude by once again expressing my deepest condolences for your losses. There are no words to adequately capture any loss of life that occurred. Any civilian death is one too many.
President Karzai stated that the Afghan Government would assist in rebuilding the homes and buildings damaged or destroyed in the fighting and bombings. I wish to announce that the United States will support your Government’s pledge.
# # #