Gates, Clinton rally in support of Karzai

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon chief and the top U.S. diplomat say Afghan leader Hamid Karzai has a positive relationship with the Obama administration despite recent tensions.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton say Karzai and the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan meet regularly and have a positive relationship. Clinton says Karzai's living under extraordinary stress.

Karzai hosted Iran's leader last month and has spoken of the U.S. trying to dominate Afghanistan.

Obama, who visited Afghanistan on March 28, has called Karzai "a critical partner" in fighting terrorism. Karzai's supposed to visit Washington on May 12

Gates and Clinton appeared on ABC's "This Week," NBC's "Meet the Press" and CBS's "Face the Nation."

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