Kabul, Afghanistan – October 3, 2014

1. SOUNDBITE (English) David Cameron, Prime Minister of United Kingdom:

“We are now down to one British base – Camp Bastion, and in just three months all British combat troops will be home. That meets the commitment that I made in July 2010, that we would bring our combat troops home by the end of this year. But let me be clear we will continue to support the development of the Afghan forces through our leading role at the Afghan National Officer academy here in Kabul.”

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASH++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) David Cameron, Prime Minister of United Kingdom:

“This is a difficult, unstable, dangerous world, but I think in well trained Afghan security forces and in the National Unity Government and in continued engagement by Britain and the rest of the international community with this country, we can make sure that it doesn’t become again the haven for terrorism, which is why we came here in the first place.”

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASH++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) David Cameron, Prime Minister of United Kingdom:

“If the Taliban want to secure a role in the future of Afghanistan then they must accept they have to give up violence and engage in the political process. That is the way to have a voice in this democratic country.

STORYLINE:

Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron pledged support on Friday for Afghanistan’s newly sworn-in president and the country’s new unity government.

During a surprise visit to Kabul, Cameron said that Britain is committed to helping Afghans build a more secure and prosperous future.

The British Prime Minister was the first world leader to meet Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, Afghanistan’s second elected president, since his inauguration on Monday.

The two had a meeting in Kabul on Friday morning and later held a joint press conference.

Cameron paid tribute to the 453 British servicemen and women who died while serving in Afghanistan, while Ghani Ahmadzai thanked the British for their sacrifices in his country.

Ghani Ahmadzai’s inauguration this week marked the start of a new era for his country, with a national unity government poised to confront a resilient Taliban insurgency.

Cameron added a warning to the insurgents, saying “if the Taliban want to secure a role in the future of Afghanistan then they must accept that they have to give up violence and engage in the political process.”

The British premier, who was to visit British troops later on Friday, also insisted there was no prospect of the UK going back to fight in Afghanistan.

But more than a decade after US forces helped topple the Taliban in the wake of the September 11 attacks, Afghanistan is still at war with the Islamic militant group, which regularly carries out attacks, mainly targeting security forces.

Britain is one of the largest financial donors to the Afghan government and Cameron said he and Ghani Ahmadzai would jointly host a conference on future aid to Afghanistan in November in London.

In addition, Cameron $287 million a year until 2017 to support education, health and other public services in Afghanistan.