On January 20, President Hamid Karzai met General John Abizaid, Commander US Central Command, and General Karl Eikenberry, Commander of Combined Forces Command, at the Gul Khana Palace.

During the meeting, President Hamid Karzai praised the key roles of General John Abizaid and General Karl Eikenberry in enhancing the capacities of the Afghan national army and police and said, “Afghanistan must see more reconstruction work in 2007, and the international community must focus on terrorist sanctuaries.”

General John Abizaid expressed satisfaction at the pace of police and army reform, reiterated his country’s commitment to the strengthening and equipping of the Afghan national army and police and said, “The United States of America will continue assisting Afghanistan until it is able to stand on its own feet.”

After the meeting, in a special ceremony, President Hamid Karzai awarded the medal of Amir Amanullah Khan to General Eikenberry.