U.S., Afghanistan To Discuss 'Strategic Partnership'

Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said he has accepted Karzai's invitation, which was presented by visiting Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta.

Burns said the United States will continue to support the Afghan government as it confronts rising violence from Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters. He also said Washington wants to help the Afghan government expand security, eradicate the opium trade, and reduce corruption.

Previous "strategic partnership" talks have included officials from both countries in the fields of national security, defense, justice, counternarcotics, finance, and commerce.

(Reuters, AP)