“Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Thursday [June 23, 2011] welcomed U.S. President Barack Obama’s plans for a U.S. troops drawdown and said it’s a sign that Afghanistan is ready to take control of security in the war-torn nation. ‘The number of troops that he has announced to be withdrawn is a sign that Afghanistan is taking over its own security and is trying to defend its territory by its own means,’ Karzai said. ‘So we are happy about the announcement.’ ”
– “Karzai Welcomes U.S. Troop Withdrawal,” CNN.com, June 23, 2011