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U.S. President George W. Bush meets with Afghan President Hamid Karzai at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday. (AP / Charles Dharapak) 
U.S. President George W. Bush arrives at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan on Wednesday. (AP / Charles Dharapak) |
Updated Wed. Mar. 1 2006 12:56 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
On his first visit to the country, U.S. President George Bush praised the progress of democracy in Afghanistan and said he was confident that Osama bin Laden "will be brought to justice."
Amid tight security, Bush made the surprise stop in Afghanistan as part of a scheduled visit to India and Pakistan.
"It's a thrill to come to a country which is dedicating itself to the dignity of every person who lives here," Bush told a press conference as he stood side-by-side with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
"People all over the world are watching the experience here in Afghanistan."
Karzai greeted Bush as "our great friend, our great supporter, a man who helped us liberate."
Bush, who flew secretly to the country to support the fledging Afghan government in the face of increasing violence from al Qaeda and Taliban militants, was accompanied by his wife, Laura, who herself visited Afghanistan in April 2005.
Reporting from Kandahar, CTV's Steve Chao said Bush "was eager to boost morale" not only in Afghanistan, but also in Iraq.
"He made a pledge to Hamid Karzai that the U.S. government is here to support the Afghan government in trying to root out insurgents," Chao told AM Wednesday.
When asked about the search for bin Laden, Bush said he was confident that both the al Qaeda leader and Taliban boss Mullah Omar would be caught, even though they have eluded coalition forces for four years.
"It's not a matter of if they're captured and brought to justice, it's when they're brought to justice," Bush told reporters.
Bin Laden is believed to be hiding somewhere along the mountainous border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Security
The presidential entourage flew into Kabul from Bagram Air Base in a flotilla of heavily armed helicopters.
Two door gunners on a press helicopter fired off a short burst of machine gun fire at unknown targets as the aircraft flew low and fast over barren countryside.
CTV's security expert Alan Bell said security surrounding Bush's visit was "a huge fluid operation that's been practiced many times."
"They've got sophisticated equipment on board to jam missiles ... plus U.S. Air Force jets escort Air Force One into the area," Bell told AM Wednesday.
Bell said a huge aircraft carrying the presidential limousine, secret service vehicles and electronic equipment, travels "well ahead" of Air Force One.
"That arrives probably two to six hours before he (Bush) would arrive. They'd offload the vehicles, so when Air Force One arrives, everything is waiting for him."
Bush's top secret visit "doesn't give anyone who is trying to attack him the opportunity to plan anything," Bell added.
After meeting with Karzai at the presidential palace, Bush presided over a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new U.S. embassy in Kabul.
He told embassy workers they were "on the front line of freedom's march."
Bush also gave a pep talk to U.S. troops at Bagram Air Base.
Later Wednesday, Bush headed to India, where tens of thousands were protesting his visit.
Bush has promised to sell India nuclear technology and materials to help it with its civilian nuclear energy program, but the deal is hung up on reaching accord on how to ensure that the assistance isn't diverted into weapons programs.
Canada in Afghanistan
Bush's trip came the day after Canada took control of coalition forces in southern Afghanistan.
Brig.-Gen. David Fraser is now in charge of a new multinational force -- including 2,200 Canadians -- that will patrol six provinces, including the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar.
Just hours after Fraser took over, a roadside bomb went off a short distance from a Canadian convoy. There were no injuries, military officials said.
The improvised explosive device, or IED, went off around 8 p.m. local time Tuesday, about 20 metres from the road along a notorious stretch of highway known as "IED Alley" to Canadian soldiers.
Canadian in Charge
Canadian Brig.-Gen. David Fraser has a plan for Afghanistan - peace and stability. 
Timeline of Canadian Involvement 
Afghanistan: A timeline of Canadian involvement following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S.
