Heads of State

Obama, Karzai Acknowledge Tensions

During Afghan prez’s trip to Washington.

President Obama acknowledged some bumps on the road with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who is in Washington on Wednesday. "Obviously there are going to be tensions in such a complicated and difficult environment and in a situation in which, on the ground, both Afghans and Americans are making enormous sacrifices," Obama said. For his part, Karzai said, “There are moments when we speak frankly to each other, and that frankness will only contribute to the strength of the relationship.” Obama also pronounced himself “ultimately accountable” for civilian casualties, and said that the U.S. is still on track to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan in July, 2011.