Graham said Thursday that the South Asia "codel" — congressional delegation trip — to South Asia had been planned before the Mumbai attacks. He, McCain and Lieberman landed in New Delhi five days after the bloodbath, with India and Pakistan on a sadly familiar path that's seen them go to war four times in six decades as independent nations.
"It was just one of those cases where you're in the right place at the right time," Graham said. "The three of us can't say we prevented a war, but being in both capitals during that period of time, I think, helped. A lot goes into this that you never hear about."
The senators flew from Islamabad to Kabul, Afghanistan, where they enjoyed a late dinner at the presidential palace with Hamid Karzai.
The Afghan leader was in an expansive mood, thanking Americans for helping to rebuild his country.
"Karzai then joked that 'reconstruction is something we complain about, but inside we are very happy with it,' " the U.S. Embassy cable reported. " 'We complain because we want more money from you.' "
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