Today.Az » Politics » Great Expectations for United States in Afghanistan
04 May 2012 [09:00] - Today.Az
U.S. President Barack Obama arrived in Afghanistan with an unannounced visit in the evening on May 1. It is worth noting that Obama's visit to Afghanistan was held on the eve of the anniversary of Osama bin Laden's liquidation. The leader of "Al Qaeda" was destroyed by a detachment of U.S. Special Forces in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad.
Obama met with representatives of the Afghan government and U.S. forces, located at U.S. military base in Bagram during the visit. At both meetings, Obama said the U.S. would leave the region in the next two years.
During a meeting with Afghan President Obama and Karzai signed a strategic partnership agreement between the two countries after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2014. The agreement was signed for ten years - until 2024. In accordance with the terms of the agreement, the United States will provide economic and social supportin the development of regional cooperation in the defense of democratic values ??and security, will help to strengthen state power in Afghanistan.
There will be a US-Afghan bilateral commission, headed by foreign ministers of the both countries and their officials, which will meet twice a year and monitor the implementation of the agreement.
The agreement signed with Afghanistan, and performance at Bagram military base can be evaluated as a success of Obama in the fight for the White House. His visit to Kabul four days before the official start of the campaign is not accidental. Probably continuing war in Afghanistan and the policy of head of state to stop it will be one of the topics at election meetings that concern U.S. citizens.
The visit clearly showed that the issue of U.S. presence in the region is practically solved. But, despite statements of officials, the aim of the presence is still not defined. According to experts, the aim of the USA isn't only the interests of Russia, but also China, which can
be a major obstacle for the U.S after 10-15 years. In addition to military interests, the value of economic interests became clear.
Recall a joint statement has been issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development, Geological Survey, the Pentagon and the Ministry of Mining of Afghanistan recently.
According to the document, the total value of mineral resources in the country, that is, iron, cobalt, gold, copper, and other large deposits, estimated at nearly $1 trillion. Although it was previously known that Afghanistan is rich in natural resources, their assessment is held for the first time. Huge deposits of lithium, which American scientists have found in Afghanistan is of particular importance. This metal is used in the manufacture of various products - mobile phones, laptops, and for the production of electric cars. Global companies are interested in it.
Most of Afghanistan's mineral resources are located in areas controlled by the Taliban and the various warlords, not obeying the official government. It is necessary to hold a series of military operations or to conclude peace treaties with the powers that control the region in order to get these deposits.
Arzu Nagiyev /Trend/
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