Over the weekend, Leader Pelosi led a bipartisan Delegation to Afghanistan, the first delegation to enter the country since President Barack Obama and President Hamid Karzai signed the historic Strategic Partnership Agreement.  The two-day visit, which included visits to Helmand and Kandahar provinces, allowed the delegation to not only visit troops on Mothers’ Day weekend, but to also take part in important discussions with diplomatic and military officials, and the women of Afghanistan.

On Sunday, the delegation met with President Karzai to discuss regional security and stability issues, including reconciliation and reintegration efforts.  The delegation also met with General John Allen, Commander of the International Security Assistance Force, Afghanistan and U.S. Forces and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker on counterinsurgency operations and the transfer of security responsibilities to the Afghan people.

Leader Pelosi on her visit to Afghanistan:

Sunday marked the third phase of the transfer of lead security responsibility to the Afghan forces.  On every occasion, our delegation stressed the importance of Afghan women being involved in security decisions, especially in light of the upcoming NATO summits in Chicago and Tokyo.

Recognizing the significant role that our troops play in Afghanistan, we were pleased on Mothers’ Day to travel to Helmand and Kandahar provinces to hear directly from regional commanders on the ground and their coalition partners in the most critical areas in Afghanistan.  Our delegation was also honored to participate in a celebration in honor of Mothers’ Day at Camp Leatherneck in Helmand province with many mothers serving in our Armed Forces.

Photos from Afghanistan: