AFGHANISTAN: THIS IS NOT JUST AMERICA`S WAR BY DONALD LU, CHARGE D�AFFAIRES, U.S. EMBASSY BAKU

President Obama has today outlined a bold new direction for American forces in Afghanistan finally to bring stability to this long-suffering country and defeat al-Qa"ida and Taliban terrorists. We hope that we can count on the support of Coalition allies in Afghanistan as together we fight a global terrorist threat that has claimed innocent lives in New York, Madrid, Moscow, London, Bali and Amman.
Azerbaijan plays a critical role in this Coalition effort. Its brave soldiers have served with NATO forces in Afghanistan since 2002. The doubling of this troop contribution earlier this year is evidence of Azerbaijan"s commitment. So is the growing logistical assistance it provides to resupply Coalition forces in Afghanistan.
At stake is not just the future of Afghanistan, but `the common security of the world,` as President Obama stated in his speech at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. During the speech, President Obama called for deployment of 30,000 more U.S. troops in early 2010 and outlined a three-part strategy aimed at defeating extremist elements, strengthening civilian institutions and returning responsibility for Afghanistan`s security to Afghan forces.
President Obama reminded the world that the 8-year war in Afghanistan was launched not by the United States, but by 19 terrorists who hijacked airplanes and murdered nearly 3,000 innocent men, women and children on September 11, 2001. `We did not ask for this fight,` President Obama said.
As the world community was attacked, the world community has responded. And today 43 nations -- including our Azerbaijani partners -- are united in Afghanistan in our efforts to `disrupt, dismantle and defeat` al-Qa"ida and extremist Taliban elements.

The decision to put our soldiers in harm`s way is exceedingly difficult. As President Obama told future military officers at West Point Tuesday, the United States and its international partners have `no interest in fighting an endless war.` The United States will not occupy Afghanistan, but will, along with its partners, seek to empower Afghanistan to chart its own path, free of extremists who have `distorted and defiled Islam.`
President Obama closed his speech Tuesday night looking toward a brighter future when extremist threats are turned back, providing security for citizens all over the world. `We will go forward with the confidence that right makes might, and with the commitment to forge an America that is safer, a world that is more secure, and a future that represents not the deepest of fears but the highest of hopes.`