And so, the July, 2011, date is a date in which having ramped up our armed presence in Afghanistan in order to provide space and time for the Afghan security forces to develop and strengthen, and to blunt the momentum of the Taliban, we will then start gradually reducing the number of US troops and coalition troops that are inside of Afghanistan. That’s something that I think the Afghan people want. That, you know, Afghans are a very proud people. And this is a sovereign government. So, we are providing them with assistance. And in the short term, I increased our troop levels, because frankly, we have neglected the security situation, and the Taliban had been able to regain momentum. And control vast portions of the country.
But now we’re seeing Afghan Security Forces trained. We’re seeing Afghan police trained. We’ve got a very effective civilian effort there in order to help build infrastructure and improve the day-to-day lives within Afghanistan.
So, on – starting in July, ’11- we’ll begin to draw down those additional troops, but we’re not going to suddenly leave, turn off the lights, and go home on that date. What will happen is, as we are training up more and more Afghan security forces, they’re becoming more effective.
We will transition so that they are starting to take over more responsibility for security, and slowly, the United States troop presence, as well as coalition troop presence, will diminish. That I think is something that is in the interests not just of the United States, but it’s also in the interest of the Afghan people.
Q: Mr President. Iran, you’ve said, could play a constructive role in Afghanistan. You had a common enemy, the Taliban. Is there a sense that you would take Iran up on its offer that’s publicly announced, that they they’re ready to assist? Would you take them up on that offer?
A: Well, I think that Iran and all of the countries in the region can play a constructive role in Afghanistan. This is a country that’s been war-torn. Most Afghans, like people around the world simply want an opportunity to make a living, support their families, provide an education for their children. And so, I think the entire region would benefit from a stable, peaceful Afghanistan. And we are willing to work with Iran and all the other countries in the region to achieve that goal.
Now I have to say that there have been times where the Iranian government I think has said publicly it wants to work on these issues. Behind the scenes, we see evidence that occasionally, they have actually helped insurgents in, in ways that end up harming our troops.
But we will continue to explore ways in which we can work with all the countries in the region, including Iran, to stabilise Afghanistan. You know, I think this is one more example of where potentially, the United States and Iran could end up working together on a whole range of issues. In order to do that, though the Iranian regime has to make a decision that it is not simply maintaining power based on animosity towards the United States, based towards outrageous statements in the international community, but rather it is looking for constructive ways to improve the lives of ordinary people inside of Iran.
And if that shift in orientation takes place, I think the opportunities for tremendous progress for a great nation, and a great civilisation exist. If it doesn’t, then it’s going to continue to be isolated, and it’s going to continue, I think, to cause friction, not just with the United States, but with the world community.
Q: Yesterday, you talked about the naysayers when it comes to the Middle East peace process. But Mr President, a lot of this pessimism comes from people who want peace, but they’re looking at the maker of the Israeli government, they’re looking at the divisions on the Palestinian side. And they don’t think it’s possible at this stage for them to take that bold step. What makes you so confident that this time is different? And if so, how would that politically change the region, including Iran?
A: Well, let me say I want – I wouldn’t consider myself so confident that we can get this done. I think it’s necessary. And the point I was making was for decades now we have seen this conflict, not only consume the politics of the region, but also hamper the ability of Israeli children to feel safe, Palestinian children to succeed and thrive.
And if we cannot begin to actually move towards a Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace and security with the Jewish state of Israel, then what we are going to see I think is more and more conflict, more and more bloodshed. And the prospects of any peaceful resolution will dissolve.
So, I’m moving out of a sense of urgency. Not because it’s easy. I think it’s going to be very difficult for us to achieve these goals. What I am optimistic about is I think that President Abbas is a man who sincerely desires peace as well as a sovereign Palestinian state. I think Prime Minister Netanyahu has undergone evolution in his thinking, and I think that he genuinely would like to see a peaceful Palestinian state and a secure Israeli state that’s at peace with its neighbours.
We, as an international community, then, have to support those efforts, acknowledging that it’s very difficult. It may not be possible, but we have to try. And now is the time to try. And I think that if we were able to achieve the goal of a peaceful settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, then that would change the dynamic of the region in a very positive region.
What I think most Iranian people are looking for is that Palestinians have their right to a sovereign state. Well, there’s only one way to achieve that. And that is by peace through Israel. It’s not going to be achieved through violence.
And again, this is an example of where the Iranian regime has a choice. It can be supportive of peace efforts that result in concrete benefits for the Palestinian people or it can choose to engage in rhetoric and fund terrorist activity that ensure continued conflict, which may serve their political interests, but certainly doesn’t serve the interests of a Palestinian family on the West Bank who would prefer to have a country of their own in which they can start a business, or send their children to school. That’s, I think, the vision that we have to keep in mind.