No modification to Obama-Karzai meeting: White House

Washington, Apr 10(ANI): A top advisor to United States President Barack Obama has said that the scheduled meeting between the President with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai will take place on May 12.

“There’s no modification to that whatsoever,” Fox News quoted General James Jones, National Security Adviser, as saying.

Earlier on Tuesday, the White House had said that it would consider cancelling Karzai’s visit, if he continues to make controversial accusations against Western interference in Afghanistan.

However, General Jones said that Karzai’s comments were not intended to harm the U.S.-Afghan relationship, and emphasized that the administration continues to consider Karzai “a strategic partner”.

“The President has sent a letter to President Karzai, which was delivered by the ambassador, basically recommitting ourselves to the success of our operation and our partnership and looks forward to greeting him in Washington to continue that progress,” he added.

General Jones further insisted that tensions between the two countries would simmer soon.

“We have people who are laying their lives on the line-both Afghans and coalition members, U.S. forces,” General Jones said.

“This is what we’re about. We’re trying to bring about peace and stability. And I think that this matter is really behind us now and I think you’ll see that in the weeks ahead,” he added. (ANI)