"I was struck by the very positive changes in Afghanistan since I first started visiting the country about 12 years ago and how the improvement has accelerated in the last three years," Levin said. "Afghanistan is more secure, and -- of greatest importance perhaps -- it is the Afghan Army and police who now have responsibility for preserving security and they are doing so far more successfully and quickly than many predicted. You see streets full of cars, new buildings going up, new universities (including the American University of Afghanistan, which we visited), and a high level of energy and engagement from the people of Afghanistan -- including women, who had been completely excluded from public life by the Taliban. I believe that the continued assistance and engagement of the United States and other countries is warranted and will help preserve these achievements. I told President Karzai that we will not able to provide such assistance unless an acceptable Bilateral Security Agreement is reached in the near future and also stressed that his words have too often not been helpful to promote confidence between our countries."
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