KABUL, Feb 19: Afghan President Hamid Karzai is to embark on a four-nation tour on Thursday aimed at strengthening international ties and attracting more aid for his country’s recovery from decades of war, officials said.
The highlight of the trip, taking in Japan, Malaysia and India, is expected to be talks with US President George W. Bush in Washington, one of the leading supporter’s of Karzai’s fledgling government.
In Japan the Afghan leader will meet with Japanese Emperor Akihito, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi before attending a conference on Saturday on disarming Afghanistan’s huge private armies.—AFP
