White House offers optimistic outlook for Afghan war

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration sought Monday to smooth over past differences with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who arrived here on a four-day mission to convince Americans that his country is not a lost cause.

At a White House news conference, Karl Eikenberry, the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, acknowledged that relations with Karzai have been shaky at times.

"But what measures true partnership is the ability, when the stakes are as high as they are for Afghanistan and the United States of America, to be able to work our way through difficulties and come back together and still find ourselves well aligned," Eikenberry said.

He added that after this week's meetings, "I think we're going to emerge with even better alignment."

Signficant improvements in the U.S. and NATO military and civilian efforts have been made over the past year, Eikenberry noted.

"We're confident that we're much better postured to help deliver the progress needed in the months ahead," the ambassador said.

Appearing with Eikenberry, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, told reporters that he has a good relationship with Karzai.

"I think it's important that I have an effective, candid responsible relationship," McChrystal said. "And I've been real happy with it thus far."

Karzai and a large delegation of Cabinet ministers arrived for the Karzai government's widest engagement with U.S. leaders since his re-election in a flawed vote last year.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was visiting Afghanistan on Sunday, said Karzai will be received in Washington with "great dignity, great friendship and great candor."

From the U.S. perspective, the week's events are intended to show respect for Karzai, who seems destined to preside over Kabul's eventual political reconciliation with the Taliban, not to mention the gradual withdrawal of the U.S.-led forces now holding the insurgents at bay.

Behind the genial public facade of the visit, both sides will struggle with deeply divisive issues:

— Karzai presides over a weak central government established with heavy U.S. and European guidance and supported with billions in aid. He is a talented politician and a proven survivor, but has failed to rally Afghans to his side.