Kabul, May 17, SPA -- President Hamid Karzai will on Sunday begin a four-day visit to the United States, hisspokesman said _ a trip expected to include talks withAmerican leaders on long-term military aid and the fate ofAfghans held in U.S. jails. Between visits to American universities, Karzai is to meetin Washington with U.S. President George W. Bush and othertop officials including Secretary of State Condoleezza Riceand Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, spokesman JawedLudin said Tuesday. Karzai has said he will use the trip to press his hopesfor a "strategic partnership" with the United Statesencompassing long-term political, economic and militaryassistance to Afghanistan, despite a week of violentanti-American protests at home. On Saturday, he also said he would request that the UnitedStates transfer Afghans detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,and military jails in Afghanistan to Afghan authorities,and demanded more control over U.S. military operations. Karzai, who has enjoyed strong U.S. support, is to beginhis visit with a speech at Boston University, and end it atthe University of Nebraska in Omaha. Both institutions areto award the Afghan leader with honorary degrees, The Associated Press reported. In Washington, Karzai was also to meet lawmakers and thenew head of the World Bank, Paul Wolfowitz, Ludin said. Precise details of his schedule were not released.--SPA1322 Local Time 1022 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/263006