Gates says US will not turn its back on Afghanistan

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates reassured Afghans on Tuesday that Washington would not abandon them abruptly, and said a withdrawal due to begin in 2011 could be spread over several years to train Afghan troops. Gates stressed that there would be no quick pullout. Gates said at a news conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Our troops are here only as long as it takes to help you to defeat your enemies-- we will fight by your side until Afghan forces large enough and strong enough to secure the nation on their own as they have already done in Kabul. Gates flew unannounced to Kabul where he met Karzai, the most senior visit by a US official since President Barack Obama announced a new strategy last week, sending 30,000 extra troops but pledging to begin withdrawing them in 18 months. Karzai repeated an earlier pledge that Afghan security forces would take over security in the entire country within five years, and Gates said he hoped that timeline could be met or even beaten as Afghan security forces improve. Both said Afghan security forces could still require Western funding for 15 or 20 years.