Statement by National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor
Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough
concluded a trip to Bahrain, Qatar, and Afghanistan, during which he consulted
with key counterparts on a range of issues of mutual concern.
During his visit to Bahrain May 29-30, Mr.
McDonough met with National Security Advisor Khalifa bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa
and Interior Minister Rashid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa and held a roundtable
discussion with civil society leaders.
In these meetings, Mr. McDonough stressed the
importance of the U.S.-Bahraini partnership as well as the importance the
United States places on reconciliation and reform in Bahrain.
In Qatar, Mr. McDonough gave a keynote address
at the U.S.-Islamic World Forum on May 30, and met with Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jasim Al-Thani to discuss regional issues, including
the ongoing crisis in Syria.
Finally, following the President’s May 1 trip to
Afghanistan and the recent NATO Summit in Chicago, Mr. McDonough traveled to
Afghanistan May 31-June 1 to meet with U.S. civilian and military leaders and
with Afghan government officials. Mr. McDonough met with officials
in Kabul, and in Regional Command-South and Regional Command-East.
During all of these discussions, he reiterated
the United States’ commitment to the strategy laid out by President Obama and
reviewed our joint progress on the five elements of that strategy: transition
to an Afghan security lead by the end of 2014; training sufficient and
sustainable Afghan Security Forces; building an enduring partnership with
Afghanistan; supporting Afghan-led reconciliation; and promoting regional stability.
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