U.S. courts Karzai, vows not to abandon Afghans

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States patched over differences with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday, pledging not to abandon Afghanistan as the two sides held high-level talks aimed at showing unity in the nine-year war.

The discussions, which include diplomatic, defence, military and intelligence chiefs on both sides, follow weeks of hostility caused by Karzai's anti-Western comments, including blaming the West for corruption in Afghanistan.

But there was no sign of rancour in the elegant State Department reception room where U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hosted talks with most of Karzai's cabinet in what was billed a "strategic dialogue".

The top U.S. diplomat said the United States had a long-term commitment to Afghanistan and the two sides could have disagreements without rupturing ties.

"As we look towards a responsible, orderly transition in the international combat mission in Afghanistan, we will not abandon the Afghan people," Clinton said.

The goal of pulling out U.S. troops from July 2011 has raised concerns among many Afghans that the United States will turn its back on them as it did following the Soviet pullout from Afghanistan in 1989.

Clinton sought to allay those fears. "President (Barack) Obama has made clear that we will not allow that kind of detachment and oversight again," she said.

The July 2011 deadline to start withdrawing has always seemed ambitious given the widening Taliban insurgency more than eight years after U.S. forces invaded following the September 11 attacks.

The invasion toppled Afghanistan's Taliban rulers who had harboured the al Qaeda leadership responsible for the 2001 attacks on the United States.

'STEADY AND MATURE'

Top military and civilian brass from both countries were symbolically seated together in the ornate Benjamin Franklin room, with ministers paired with counterparts rather than sitting opposite one another in a more formal fashion.

Clinton smiled broadly as she welcomed Karzai. The Afghan leader talked of a "steady and mature" relationship, a "joint venture" and "partnership".

It was in sharp contrast to a visit to Afghanistan by U.S. President Barack Obama in March when he entered the country in darkness and spent just six hours in Kabul, leaving without even having a full news conference with his host.

The message then was one of tackling corruption, with Obama saying progress was "too slow" in dealing with graft. But on Wednesday, Obama will hold a joint news conference with Karzai at the White House, where public handshakes and smiles will be on display.

Clinton made little reference to corruption in her public remarks on Tuesday, except to praise Karzai for the efforts he had made so far and gently call for more.

"We know that long-term stability requires improved government capacity at every level. It requires a common and concerted effort against corruption," said Clinton.

Karzai repeated previous pledges to tackle corruption and also sought to put behind him tensions with the White House.

"We will be having disagreements on issues from time to time. But that is the sign of a mature relationship, the sign of a steady relationship," he added.

Karzai later paid tribute to U.S. forces killed in the war and visited the wounded at Walter Reed army hospital, which he said was an "extremely painful experience".

"It was a stark reminder that we together have a difficult journey to make and that the young men and women of our countries are willing to sacrifice for the sake of security in Afghanistan and in the United States," said Karzai.

In his meeting with Obama, Karzai is expected to press him on civilian casualties which have undermined the presence of foreign forces in Afghanistan.

Obama will want details of a plan to re-integrate lower-level fighters from the Taliban as well as reconcile senior commanders, which will be hammered out during a national peace assembly, known as a "jirga," in Kabul on May 29.

Clinton reiterated the U.S. position that to be reconciled, Taliban leaders must renounce violence, give up ties to al Qaeda and abide by the Afghan constitution, which includes rights for women.

"We look forward to the inclusion of women in all aspects of your re-integration and reconciliation efforts and in all aspects of Afghan society," Clinton said.

(Editing by Cynthia Osterman)