Taken Question From Under Secretary Larson's Briefing On Afghanistan

Question:  Does the State Department find it difficult to communicate with members of the Afghan Interim Authority in Kabul, given the undeveloped state of Afghanistan’s communications network?

Answer:  Despite some challenges posed by Afghanistan’s underdeveloped communications network, we are not aware of any particular problems faced by the US Embassy in communicating with members of the Interim Authority.  It is our understanding that most Afghan officials have satellite telephones or other communications equipment that enables them to communicate adequately with other officials.  Our Embassy in Kabul meets with representatives of the Interim Authority in person on a regular basis.