NEW : U.S. relationship with Afghanistan `` a long-term commitment , '' Hamid Karzai says . NEW : U.S. defense secretary meets with American President Robert Gates in Afghanistan . Karzai sets his own timeline goal for security handover in Afghanistan . Gates acknowledges Cabinet `` for most part '' better paid than Afghan security forces .
NEW : U.S. relationship with Afghanistan `` a long-term commitment , '' Robert Gates says . NEW : U.S. defense secretary meets with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul . Karzai sets his own timeline goal for security handover in Afghanistan . Gates acknowledges Taliban `` for most part '' better paid than Afghan security forces .