Afghan decision 'very close': Obama

KABUL (Reuters/AFP) - US President Barack Obama pledged on Wednesday to end the Afghan war before he leaves office, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on Hamid Karzai to make a new compact with his people on the eve of his inauguration.
The US President said his decision on whether to send additional US troops to Afghanistan is “very close”, as the United States seeks a new approach with an exit strategy.
“We are very close to a decision. I will announce that decision certainly in the next several weeks,” Obama told the CNN in an interview, adding that his upcoming strategy in Afghanistan will “put us on a path towards ending the war”.
Hillary made her first visit as Secretary of State to attend the swearing-in of Karzai, the veteran leader who takes office on Thursday for a second full term as president with his reputation in tatters after an election marred by fraud.
“There is now a clear window of opportunity for President Karzai and his government to make a new compact with the people of Afghanistan, to demonstrate clearly that you are going to have accountability and tangible results that will improve the lives of the people,” Hillary told staff at the US Embassy in Kabul.
The US President faces pressure from within the military and from Republicans to accede to the request for more troops submitted by the top US commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal.
But he must also contend with the growing unpopularity of the conflict among Americans and develop a strategy that ensures the US will not be stuck in Afghanistan.
In an interview with CBS News, Obama said he was furious over leaks from within his administration over deliberations on Afghanistan war strategy and considered them a firing offence, adding that the strategy review involved life-and-death decisions.
Asked whether he was as angry about the matter as Defence Secretary Robert Gates, Obama replied: “I think I’m probably angrier.”
Asked whether he thought the leaks were a “firing offence,” he said: “Absolutely.”
In an interview with Fox News, the US President said he believes the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, can be closed next year, but he acknowledged that he will not meet his original January deadline.