restraining workers, and rebuilding our schools, and investing in science and technology, developing our business climate. so, there will be challenges. one thing i am never doubtful is the amazing capacity of our troops and their morale. when i was in bagram a couple of weeks ago, the fact that we still have so much determination and professionalism not just from our troops but from all of our coalition allies. it is a testament to them. it is extraordinary. and we are very proud of them. although my press secretary said not to do this i will call on a chicagoan to ask a chicago question. mr. president, good to see you. chicagoans look at you standing there with chicago, chicago,
were walking into the summit. and, i emphasized to him what we have emphasized publicly, as well as privately, we think that pakistan has to be part of the solution in afghanistan. that it is in our national interests to see a pakistan that is democratic. that is prosperous and stable the we share a common enemy in extremists that are found not only in afghanistan but, also, in pakistan. and we need to work through some of the tensions that have arisen after 10 years our military presence if that region. the president shared with me his belief that the issues can get worked through. we did not anticipate that the supply line issue would be resolved by this summit. we knew that before we arrived in chicago. but, we are actually making
chicago, on the wall street behind you and there is an undeniable surprise, how did federal match up to fantasy in welcoming world leaders to chicago? and, did the demonstrators in anyway on the street, undermine your efforts, mayor rahm emanuel s efforts to project the image of chicago. i have to tell you, i think chicago performs magazine enough chicago performed magnificently. those of us in the summit had a great experience. you talk to leaders from around the world, they loved the city. michelle took some of the spouses down to the south side to see the center where wonderful stuff is being done with early education. they saw the art institute. i was talking to david cameron and he is sneaking off doing
second, we are now unified by a plan to wine down the war in afghanistan. a plan that trains afghanistan security forces, transitions and builds a partnership that can endure after our combat mission in afghanistan ends. since last year we have been transitioning parts of afghanistan to the afghan national security forces and thatten abled our troops to come home. and we are in the process of drawing down 33,000 u.s. troops by the end of the summer. in chicago we reached agreement open the next milestone in the transition, with meetings this morning we agreed that afghan forces take the lead for combat operations next year. and at that time, the forces will have shifted from combat to support role. in all parts of the country. this will mark a major step toward the goal we agreed to in
the bottom line is, we are leaving chicago with a nato alliance that is stronger. more capitallable. and more ready for the future. as a result each of our nations, the united states included, more secure and we are in a stronger position to advance the security and prosperity and freedom we seek. with that, i will take a couple of questions and i will start with julie pace. thank you, mr. president. you have said the united states cannot deal with afghanistan without also talking about pakistan. and yet this is little public discussion at this summit about pakistan s role in ending the war. your talks with the president did you make any presidents in re-opening this discussion and if the larger tension with pakistan cannot be resolved does that put the nato coalition gains in afghanistan at risk? my discussion with the president was very brief as we