The president said he also wants to send a clear message that the U.S.military commitment will not be open-ended.

VOA: standard.2009.11.13

"This is not an open-ended offer to engage.

VOA: standard.2009.07.27

The Obama administration is working hard to convince Afghans, Americans and coalition partners the international security role in Afghanistan will not end until the Afghan forces are ready, but also that the international military deployment is not open-ended.

VOA: standard.2009.12.09

"It will also I think send a clear message that our goal here ultimately has to be for the Afghan people to be able to be in a position to provide their own security, and that the United States cannot be engaged in an open-ended commitment,".

VOA: standard.2009.11.13