Partnership Reaffirmed:Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Visits Washington

President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan,accompanied by his colleague Chief Executive Dr.Abdullah Abdullah,has spent the last three days in the Washington area,solidifying a continued US commitment to his country following the cessation of combat operations by US troops at the end of 2014.Monday,he met with Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter at the presidential retreat,Camp David,in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains.On Tuesday,Mr.Ghani met with President Barack Obama,who extended the mission of the 9800 US troops currently serving in Afghanistan through the end of 2015 at Mr.Ghani's request.Wednesday,President Ghani addressed a joint session of Congress and was repeatedly given standing ovations by the American legislators.*
At a joint press conference with Mr.Ghani,President Obama said we agreed to keep in place our close security cooperation.As part of the NATO mission,we will continue to train,advise and assist the Afghan Security Forces,and will continue to conduct targeted counter-terror operations.We will maintain the 9800 troop level through the end of this year.The final drawdown to an embassy-centered presence of 1,000 troops will be decided on later this year.We will continue to support the national unity government of Afghanistan and support the development of the country.*
For his part,President Ghani said your national security team has gone out of its way for the most intensive discussion.The TAA mission is a vital part of our collective interest.We look at partnership with the US as foundational-not just for Afghan security,but for regional security.The departure of 120,000 international troops has not brought about the security gap that was predicted.The extremists do not speak for Islam;we do.We are speaking truth to terror.The threats that exist,the changing ecology of terror,these are destructive,nihilistic movements.Our commitment to peace is clear;we will not have peace with those who use our territory as a launching ground for global terrorism.*
It's been 90 days since two Americans were killed in Afghanistan,President Obama added.Afghans are fighting with courage and tenacity,and it gets better month by month.We want to make sure we do everything we can to make sure the Afghan Security Forces succeed,so we won't have to go back for a terrorism emergency.Our troops are not on the front lines,and force protection is a priority.It is my judgement and General Campbell's that our remaining is well worth it.*
The 2315 Americans who died in Afghanistan must not have died in vain,President Ghani continued.Their exposure,their number of casualties is way down.Afghanistan is the front lines.Because of American engagement in Afghanistan,the US mainland has not been attacked since 9-11.Our expectations for this visit were our cooperation would be enhanced,and a clear vision for our continued cooperation.The 4.1 billion dollar support for Afghanistan is a significant issue.Most importantly is the flexibility that has been shown in our security cooperation.*
We expect to be working with the Afghan government,for the Afghan people,for a long time,President Obama insisted.There's going to be intelligence and counter-terror cooperation,logistical and training support.The good news is,the Afghan Security Forces have stood up.They're better equipped than the Taliban or Haqqani Network.They're proving that,when they fight,they can be successful.*
Speaking before Congress on Wednesday,President Ghani noted that there is a another,darker cloud that is making its way to our country.The promise of the Arab Spring was followed by the Daesh (ISIL) terror.It is critical that the West understand the threat to the countries of Central Asia.Extremism is becoming a self-financing system.Today Afghanistan's people have rejected extremist violence.We are willing to speak truth to terror.That hatred must be challenged from within the religion of Islam.Silence is not acceptable;but silence is not what the world will hear from us.Islam must reengage with the world openly and without paranoid fear of encirclement,Mr.Ghani told the joint session of Congress at the Capitol.

Pope and Turkish President Exchange Views

Pope Francis I and Turkish President Recep Erdogan met in Ankara last Friday on the occasion of the Pope's official visit to Turkey and pilgrimage to Constantinople/Istanbul for St.Andrew's Day and talks with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I,spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians.Mr.Erdogan expressed concern about rising Islamophobia in the world.There are places where Islam and the followers of Islam are associated with terrorism and violence.Millions of Muslims feel oppressed by these associations with Boko Haram,al Qaida or ISIL which is talked about all over the world.*
Mr.Erdogan condemned state terrorism in Syria,which has led to a refugee crisis,and mentioned Turkey's problem with its Kurdish minority.All these challenges confront all human beings.As there is Islamophobia in the West,there is also violence and hatred in the Muslim world.All of these problems threaten our humanity.He called therefore for tolerance and healthy coexistence.Turkey is a bridge between East and West and an example of such coexistence.We seek to create a more livable world where cities can be more open and diverse,the President said,citing Turkey's role in humanitarian aid and the G20 group of nations.He hoped the Pope's visit would have a positive effect on the Islamic world,adding that we are happy to live together and asking God that the Pope's visit will be beneficial for all of us.*
For his part,Pope Francis noted that this event is precious to all Christians,as Turkey was the birthplace of St.Paul and the home of the Blessed Virgin Mary for many years,as well as the site of the first Seven Ecumenical Councils of the Church.He praised the vitality of Turkey's present,the hard work and generosity of its people.Today what is needed is a dialogue centered on what we hold in common,a lasting peace rooted in the respect of the dignity of all persons.It is essential that all Christians enjoy the same rights and respect the same duties.The Middle East and the rest of the world await this maturing of friendship.
How much longer must the Middle East suffer through this lack of peace?In Syria and Iraq in particular,terrorist violence shows no signs of abating,especially to Christians and Yazidis.It is always licit to stop an unjust aggressor,but the problem cannot be solved by a military response.May the most high bless and protect Turkey and enable her to be a strong and effective peacemaker,Pope Francis concluded.*
In an atmosphere of brotherly affection,His Holiness Pope Francis I went on to Constantinople Saturday for a prayer service with His All-Holiness Bartholomew I,Archbishop of Constantinople New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch.The two archpastors expressed their determination to bring about the reconciliation between the Catholic West and the Orthodox East,even to the point of restoring intercommunion between the ancient churches,which parted ways in the eleventh century.The Church of Rome would not require submission,Pope Francis said.The only precondition for restoring intercommunion would be a simple agreement on faith.*
After attending the Divine Liturgy on Sunday,the feast of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called,at the patriarchal Cathedral of St.George,which was celebrated by Patriarch Bartholomew,with the participation of Pope Francis who said the Lord's Prayer in Latin,the two spiritual leaders signed a statement reiterating their intention to continue on the path of reconciliation and together blessed the faithful gathered in the courtyard of the Phanar,the patriarchal enclave of Constantinople/Istanbul.The two men exchanged the kiss of peace several times during the Pope's visit.