RI, CT senators talk with Afghan leader

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Rhode Island U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and Connecticut's Sen. Richard Blumenthal say talks with President Hamid Karzai in Afghanistan have convinced them that Afghans are determined to ensure that the accelerated drawdown of American troops is successful.

The Democratic lawmakers are part of a bipartisan senate delegation that is visiting the Middle East, led by Arizona Sen. John McCain. Whitehouse and Blumenthal said Friday that they had dinner with Karzai during which they discussed the drawdown of U.S. troops.

While in Afghanistan, the lawmakers also met with U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham and Gen. John Allen, the commander of U.S. and coalition forces in the country. The lawmakers also met with troops from Rhode Island and Connecticut serving in Afghanistan and held talks with Afghan Army commanders in eastern Afghanistan.