Readout of Deputy Secretary Carter’s Meetings with Afghanistan Minister of Defense and Minister of Interior
October 22, 2012

Pentagon Press Secretary George Little provided the following readout:

“On October 21 in Afghanistan, Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter met Afghan Minister of Defense Bismillah Khan Mohammadi and Minister of Interior Ghulam Mujtaba Patang.

“Dr. Carter traveled to Afghanistan specifically to emphasize the U.S. commitment to the Afghan National Security Forces and the ongoing development of the Afghan forces’ enabling capabilities. The deputy secretary of defense and the Ministers pledged to work together on a number of important issues, including the sustained development of the Afghan National Security Force and reviewing efforts to prevent insider attacks.

“Dr. Carter complimented Ministers Mohammadi and Patang on the increasing professionalism and capabilities of the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police, and reiterated the United States’ continued commitment to a secure and stable Afghanistan.”