Afghan President Ghani Thanks Trump: Strategy For Country "Difference Of Day And Night"

President Trump participates in a meeting with the President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan at the United Nations on Thursday:





TRUMP: Good morning. It's a pleasure to have President Ghani of Afghanistan with us. We're working very well together. We're working very hard.



Our military is, as you know, over there right now and doing, really, an incredible job -- more of leadership than fighting. We're leading a lot of wonderful Afghan troops who are fighting very hard. We were just discussing that, and great progress is being made.







So it's an honor to have you and all of your representatives with us. Thank you very much.



GHANI: Thank you, Mr. President.



Mr. President, first of all, I'd like to pay tribute to American soldiers, officers, and civilians, particularly those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. That sacrifice can now result in a stable Afghanistan.



I want to thank you on behalf of the people of Afghanistan, the government of Afghanistan for making a decision that is historic. You asked very fundamental questions. You made this decision on the basis of courage and determination. We salute your courage.



Since the decision, there's been an immense change on the ground. I've been to six of our seven army corps, and they all greet you, and the people of the United States, and the American soldiers and officers who fought shoulder-to-shoulder with them. It's a difference of day and night.



The cloud of uncertainty has been lifted, but equally important is your commitment to a political solution at the end of this process. What we want to assure the American people is that there's not going to be a combat role. You've made that crystal clear, and we are committed to make sure it's the Afghan people, the Afghan soldiers, the Afghan officers who will take the burden of responsibility.



The modest additional troops that have been sent are to enhance the assist, support, advice mission, and that is playing a very crucial role. Victory -- political and military-wise -- is within our sight.



And I'd like to thank you for the thoroughness of the review and especially for ordering that all instruments of American power -- military, diplomatic, and economic -- are brought together in a coherent plan of action to lift Afghanistan out of 40 years of crisis, and to make it a platform for stability and prosperity.



And because of this, we equally, Mr. President, understand and fully endorse the concept that you use. We do not ask for a blank check. We are determined to do what is ours -- fight corruption; ensure that there's no waste of resources; full accountability for the results; and significant momentum so that the American people can know that, under your wise leadership, the results that were not within grasp will now be achieved.