Armitage in Afghanistan to Reinforce U.S. Support

[bemildred]

Notice that we have a "peace process" in Afghanistan now.

KABUL (Reuters) - U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage met Afghan officials on Sunday to
reinforce Washington's commitment to Afghanistan's peace process after its bloodiest period since the
fall of the Taliban.

Armitage began his one-day trip in Kandahar, a former Taliban stronghold, and capital of the restive
southern province of the same name bordering Pakistan which has been a focus of stepped up guerrilla attacks by the Islamic
militants.

He held talks with Kandahar governor Yusuf Pashtun, before heading to Kabul to meet the commander of the NATO-led
peacekeeping force, President Hamid Karzai and other officials.

In Kandahar, Armitage told reporters new U.S. aid pledged to Afghanistan would go toward reconstruction and that Pashtun ha
d requested help to provide power, schools and roads.

Reuters