Ryan Crocker sworn in as ambassador to Afghanistan

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Source: The Washington Post

KABUL — Ryan C. Crocker, one of the most accomplished U.S. diplomats, took the oath of office Monday as ambassador to Afghanistan, telling the diplomatic community here that the United States will not “rush for the exits” in the country’s longest declared war.

Crocker, who helped reopen the U.S. Embassy in Kabul in 2002 before serving as ambassador to Iraq, is no stranger to war zones. But his new position could be his most challenging.

He is charged with overseeing the world’s largest diplomatic mission just as American and other foreign troops begin to leave the country.

“It’s time for us to step back and for the Afghans to step forward,” he said.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/crocker-sworn-in-as-ambassador-to-afghanistan/2011/07/25/gIQAs3OzXI_story.html