Richard Holbrooke

You've got to end this war in Afghanistan.

The success or failure of reconciliation efforts will be linked directly to the success of the military operations.

Afghanistan cannot go forward unless the international community, led by its greatest nation, the United States, continues to fulfill its commitments in the area, beyond combat troops.

You cannot succeed in Afghanistan without Pakistan's involvement.

The western part of Pakistan, the lawless areas, are the epicenter of the issues that threaten our country.

What happened in 1989, when the Soviets left and the world, led by the United States, just turned its back on Afghanistan... is a lesson of history we cannot afford to repeat.

We assess that it is on track to improve security, transparency, and accountability for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

We have ended poppy eradication, a radical change, because all we were doing by eradicating poppy seeds--poppy crops--was driving farmers--poor farmers--into the hands of the Taliban.

If somebody wants to be reintegrated or reconciled, they have to accept the constitution and they have to renounce violence.

I share your astonishment that so little was done on this in the past, and I want to commend you and Senator Webb for continuing to push.

Why are we in Afghanistan? The short, simple answer is: 9/11, direct threats to our national security interests.