Today
marks an important milestone in our longstanding effort to bring peace
and prosperity to Afghanistan. With the death of Taliban leader Akhtar
Mohammad Mansur, we have removed
the leader of an organization that has continued to plot against and
unleash attacks on American and Coalition forces, to wage war against
the Afghan people, and align itself with extremist groups like al
Qa'ida.
Mansur
rejected efforts by the Afghan government to seriously engage in peace
talks and end the violence that has taken the lives of countless
innocent Afghan men, women and children.
The Taliban should seize the opportunity to pursue the only real path
for ending this long conflict - joining the Afghan government in a
reconciliation process that leads to lasting peace and stability.
As
an enduring partner of the Afghan people, the United States will
continue to help strengthen Afghan security forces and support President
Ghani and the National Unity Government
in their efforts to forge the peace and progress that Afghans deserve.
We will continue taking action against extremist networks that target
the United States. We will work on shared objectives with Pakistan,
where terrorists that threaten all our nations
must be denied safe haven. After so many years of conflict, today gives
the people of Afghanistan and the region a chance at a different,
better future.
I
thank our dedicated military and intelligence personnel who have once
again sent a clear message to all those who target our people and our
partners - you will have no safe haven.
Today is a day for us to give thanks to all of the Americans who have
served in Afghanistan for so many years with a selfless commitment to
the security of our nation and a better future for the Afghan people.
Source: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary
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