Clinton: Ties strained, but U.S. will support Afghanistan

WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton conceded yesterday that U.S. relations with Afghanistan are strained, but assured President Hamid Karzai that the United States will stand behind his country long after the last American soldier is gone.

A day before Karzai meets President Barack Obama at the White House, Clinton and other senior administration officials gathered at the State Department with their Afghan counterparts for talks on how to force the end of Taliban insurgency.

The backdrop to the meetings is a rocky relationship between the Obama administration and Karzai, and yesterday's talks were designed to present at least the appearance of a partnership on the mend.

The Obama administration in the past criticized Karzai for tolerating corruption and drug trafficking in his government, while Karzai has accused Washington of failing to give him the support he needs to govern.

In opening remarks, Clinton and Karzai stressed the positive but acknowledged that sharp differences have complicated efforts to stabilize Afghanistan.

"The ability to disagree on issues of importance to our respective countries and peoples is not an obstacle to achieving our shared objectives," Clinton said. "Rather, it reflects a level of trust that is essential to any meaningful dialogue and enduring strategic partnership."

Karzai said it was natural for Kabul and Washington to see the situation differently, even while working together toward the same goals. "As two mature nations and two mature governments - by now the Afghan government is mature, too - we will be having disagreements from time to time," he said.

Later, the Afghan leader visited wounded U.S. soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Afterward at the State Department, he expressed gratitude for U.S. sacrifices.