U.S. first lady Laura Bush (2nd R) speaks to Afghan women during a visit to Kabul June 8, 2008. Bush appealed to the international community on Sunday not to abandon Afghanistan in the face of resurgent Taliban violence. Rocked by daily battles with Taliban rebels that have killed some 12,000 people in two years, Kabul is to ask international donors in Paris this week to fund a $50-billion five-year development plan it hopes will undercut the insurgency.
U.S. first lady Laura Bush (2nd R) poses with Afghan teachers from the American university in Kabul June 8, 2008.
U.S. first lady Laura Bush (2nd R) and Afghan Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta (R) meet Afghan teachers and students from the American University in Kabul June 8, 2008. Bush made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan on Sunday with an appeal to the international community not to abandon the war-torn country in the face of resurgent Taliban violence.