The man is fluent in English, he knew exactly what he was saying. Perhaps this is for the benefit of a domestic audience. From ABC News:
"Blank checks we never had, actually. We really never had a blank check," the Afghan president told Sawyer. "But we're grateful even for the little money that's come to Afghanistan, even for the little help that's come to Afghanistan."Even a penny. Or in the case of the amount the US has spent on Afghanistan, even 17 trillion pennies.
He added, "We have no right over the American people to pay for us or to help us. This is our country. We must protect it ourselves and provide for it ourselves. So help from America is welcome. And even a penny is worth billions for us. In terms of gratitude, we are grateful for the help that we have received."
Since the U.S. invaded Afghanistan in 2001 to topple the Taliban after the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. has spent $171 billion to keep the Taliban at bay and billions more for development. In addition, about 900 U.S. soldiers have died fighting the Taliban and al Qaeda in Afghanistan.
