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Senator John McCain has called for permanent U.S. military bases in Afghanistan
to protect the security interests of the two countries. The former presidential
candidate made the remark in Kabul, where he and four other senators held talks
with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Senator McCain told reporters in Kabul the long-term security interests of
the United States and Afghanistan call for strong cooperation between the two
in all fields.
"We meant by that economic assistance, technical assistance military partnership,
including, and - this is a personal view - joint military permanent bases,"
he said.
The senator, a Republican from the state of Arizona, says the American people
admire the economic and political progress Afghanistan is making. He says the
United States is committed to strengthening both military and economic ties
with the country.
"We also want to declare our commitment to a long-term strategic partnership
that we believe must endure for many, many years," he said. "Not only
for the good of the Afghan people, but also for the good of the American people."
The United States has about 17,000 troops in Afghanistan helping the Afghan
government with security and fighting an on-going insurgency.
Mr. McCain is part of a five-member, bi-partisan Senate delegation traveling
through the region for talks on security issues. The delegation includes Democratic
Senator Hillary Clinton of New York.
Monday, the lawmakers were in neighboring Pakistan for talks with President
Pervez Musharraf, a close U.S ally in the war on terrorism. They later praised
Mr. Musharraf for his "courageous leadership" in the fight against
terrorism and extremism.
