US shows reservations over Afghan pullout

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US shows reservations over Afghan pullout

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Gates will step down as Pentagon chief at the end of June.

07 June,2011 10:04 pm

Ending a visit to military posts in Afghanistan, US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates attended a farewell ceremony in his honour at the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command (IJC) in Kabul.Talking to the troops, he said, “I leave Afghanistan today with the belief that if we keep this momentum up, we will deliver decisive blow to the enemy and turn the corner in this conflict.” “If we do, it will be because of the service and sacrifice of all of you, all of the rest of those from all over the coalition countries and our Afghan partners throughout this country and the sacrifices of your families,” Gates added.Gates, who will step down as Pentagon chief at the end of June, visited five military outposts across the east, south and southwest of Afghanistan over the past three days, fielding questions from troops and bidding them an emotional farewell.