|
[ti:] |
|
[ar:] |
|
[al:] |
| [00:00.00] |
Leading United States officials have said the American military |
| [00:03.52] |
will continue its presence in Afghanistan for a number of years |
| [00:07.00] |
despite beginning to withdraw in 2011. |
| [00:09.86] |
In a series of media reappearances, |
| [00:11.73] |
officials stressed that the date should be seen |
| [00:13.90] |
as the beginning of handing over responsibility to Afghan forces. |
| [00:16.52] |
Imtiaz Tyab report from Washington. |
| [00:19.81] |
Speaking on a Sunday morning political chat show, |
| [00:22.43] |
the Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that |
| [00:24.79] |
despite President Obama's plan to begin |
| [00:26.84] |
withdrawing the troops from the region in July, 2011, |
| [00:30.32] |
the US was likely to maintain a significant military presence in Afghanistan |
| [00:34.87] |
for a number of years. |
| [00:36.48] |
The Defense Secretary said |
| [00:38.04] |
the pullout date was said |
| [00:39.47] |
to underline the urgent need for the Afghans |
| [00:41.77] |
to speed up recruiting and training soldiers |
| [00:44.38] |
and getting them into the field. |
| [00:46.25] |
A comment's followed criticism from opposition Republicans |
| [00:49.30] |
who say announcing a withdraw date |
| [00:51.53] |
sent a dangerous signal to insurgents. |