By Courtney Gousman
St. Louis (KSDK) - People all over the word are reacting to President Obama's message, delivered Tuesday night from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, including a local man who knows many of Afghanistan's problems first hand.
NewsChannel 5 talked to one Afghan native who says he was pleased with the president's announcement, and that the United States has a vested interest in his home country.
Qayum Mohammed was born in Kabul, Afghanistan 41 years ago, but the United States has been home for more than half his life.
He and his brother fled Afghanistan in 1988.
"Because of the really horrible situation we had in Afghanistan," said Mohammad.
Now the two own Sameem Afghan Restaurant, in The Grove area.
"I was the only guy that had the guts to open an Afghan restaurant in the state of Missouri," said Mohammad.
Tuesday night this entrepreneur had great interest in what the President had to say, from Mohammad's home country.
"I don't think the Afghani troops are doing a very good job," said Mohammad.
Mohammad says he's relieved to know President Obama and Afghan President Karzai are putting together a long term plan that could help get Afghanistan back on its feet after most U.S. troops go home.
"I don't know if it's al-Qaeda or if it's Taliban, they seem to infiltrate a lot into the Afghan government, and into the police force and into the army. I mean this is not a very good sign," said Mohammad.
Mohammad says the major reform is needed in order to rid his country of corruption and build a stronger government. He fears Afghanistan will fall into chaos when the agreement ends.
"Right now because of the US's presence, there's lots of employment opportunities for our poor people of Afghanistan and they really, really embrace that. They believe if the United States is not there, they will be deprived of all those opportunities," said Mohammad.
Mohammad says he still have family in Afghanistan, but has no desires to permanently return to the country, because he's grateful for the opportunities he's had here in the U.S.
KSDK