President pledges peace, strong institutions

WASHINGTON (Pajhwok): Referring to a popular Afghan saying that a gift must be reciprocated, President, Ashraf Ghani, on Tuesday to answer America’s goodwill gesture with strengthening state institutions.

“You have given us generously. It is time that we reciprocated the gift,” Ghani said in his remarks at a dinner hosted by Secretary of State John Kerry at the State Department.

The way reciprocate that gift was returned by building institutions that would be a legacy of the Afghan-US partnership, he remarked, hailing, pledging the empowerment of women, children, and citizens.

“We will have several tough years. But one thing must be certain: We will never yield; we will seek peace, because peace is an imperative. We’ll sacrifice for the sake of peace, but not at the expense of our gains.”

He promised to stabilise Afghanistan and create a regional framework of cooperation that was necessary to bring stability and stand firm against the threats.

Accompanied by his Chief Executive, Dr Abdullah, Ghani said affirmed their commitment to increase the number of women ambassadors and deputy ministers. He also sought support for a women’s university in Kabul.

Abdullah said the unity government was committed to serving the national interest and facilitating a stable and democratic and peaceful Afghanistan, with respect for universal values.

Ghani said leadership was about sacrifice, not privilege. And sacrifice means putting the country first and putting personal affairs in order. Leadership is about commitment to reform and the honesty of knowing that “we are among the most corrupt countries”.

Welcoming the guests Kerry said over the past two days at Camp David, they had the greatest affirmation of the capacity of leaders to put their ego aside and the interests of their people and nation at the forefront.

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