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Obama Praises Afghan, Pakistan Commitments

Delicate diplomacy ends with unified resolve to fight militants

By the Associated Press

Posted May 6, 2009 4:15 PM CDT

(AP) – President Obama said he got the commitments he wanted today from the leaders of Pakistan and Afghanistan to more aggressively fight militants gaining power and sowing violence inside their countries' borders. The high-stakes diplomacy had Afghanistan's Hamid Karzai and Pakistan's Asif Ali Zardari meeting with officials separately and together. Looming over talks was a recent bombing that killed Afghan civilians, for which Obama apologized.

Obama emphasized the progress he said was achieved in the joint meetings. Gathering the three leaders together at one table, along with lower-level officials from the three countries, "reflects the kind of concrete cooperation and detail that is going to ultimately make a difference in improving opportunity and democracy and stability in Pakistan and in Afghanistan," he said.

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Clinton told Karzai that the Obama administration "deeply, deeply" regretted the loss of civilian lives in a bombing in Afghanistan two days ago. (AP Photo)

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, center, holds a meeting with leaders from Afghanistan and Pakistan. (AP Photo)

Afghan President Hamid Karzai, right, talks with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton before the start of a meeting at the State Department today. (Kevin Wolf)

Secretary of State Clinton meets with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, left, and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, right, at the State Department. (AP Photo)

Clinton makes an unannounced appearance with White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs to brief reporters regarding today's meetings. (AP Photo)

Secretary of State Clinton briefs reporters regarding today's meetings. (AP Photo)

President Barack Obama makes remarks in the White House following a meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, left, and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. (AP Photo)

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I'm pleased that these two men fully appreciate the seriousness of the threats that we face and have reaffirmed their commitment to confronting it.
- President Obama

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Obama Praises Afghan, Pakistan Commitments