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In recent months the situation in Afghanistanhas been difficult. Militarily and politically. Many of you have raised legitimate questions about the cost of our mission in resources and in human terms. And I know many of you are frustrated by the pace of progress.

I am impatient to see progress as well.

And in recent days I have become more optimistic. Because I am confident that we will get new momentum. Soon things will be much clearer.

Firstly, the USand other Allies and partners will make decisions on the approach to take our mission forward. I am confident it will be a counter-insurgency approach, with significantly more forces, and we will put the Afghan population at the core of our collective effort.

Secondly, the Afghan President Karzai has made statements about a new effort to fight corruption and stop drug trade. We are counting on the new Afghan Government to follow up on that statement.

I expect that within a few months, we will agree on a new contract between the international community and the government in Kabulthat requires clear progress to meet clear benchmarks.

Thirdly, as we step up our training of Afghan forces, we will gradually be able to hand over lead responsibility for the security to the Afghans. I am confident that we can start next year to do that. We will do this in a coordinated way, where conditions permit. This will allow us to progressively move into a supportive role.

Finally, it is very encouraging that the international community is stepping up development assistance. Look at the 5 billion dollars in new aid that Japanhas just announced. And the EU has approved an actionplan for Afghanistanand Pakistan.

Transition to Afghan lead is the core of our mission. I will be pushing hard to make sure that Allies come up with more troops and more resources to make that happen.

We need to sustain the new momentum in Afghanistan.