OptionsTrader
03-18-2009, 04:25 AM
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jfss0CCRXc_7T2Br9i72PbuiMKUQ
4 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AFP) — A bipartisan group of 15 US congressmen has called on President Barack Obama to "reconsider" sending 17,000 additional troops to Afghanistan without first securing an exit strategy.
"We urge you to reconsider such a military escalation," wrote the lawmakers, saying the planned deployments "may well be counterproductive."
"We are also concerned that any perceived military success in Afghanistan might create pressure to increase military activity in Pakistan. This could very well lead to dangerous destabilization in the region and would increase hostility toward the United States," they added.
Former presidential contenders Ron Paul, a Republican, and Democrat Dennis Kucinich told reporters the administration needed to clarify its policy in Afghanistan.
Paul said the letter was "just urging caution because we're hoping, with the new administration, that we'll have an administration that will lend itself more to diplomacy and working through other means other than always military confrontation."
"Sending 17,000 troops over there and continuing the drone bombing of Pakistan is hardly a change in policy," he added.
"A troop surge is not the answer," Kucinich said.
"Afghani citizens and families do not need more destruction and violence. They need homes, jobs, and education. They need security, the rule of law and opportunity."
Obama is likely to unveil the results of his strategic review before US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attends a March 31 ministerial-level conference on Afghanistan in the Hague and the president heads to Europe for a series of meetings, officials have said.
The new US war strategy is expected to include more economic and military aid for Pakistan, as well as efforts to beef up Afghanistan's military and try to tamp down raids by Pakistan-based extremists on targets in Afghanistan.
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved.
4 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AFP) — A bipartisan group of 15 US congressmen has called on President Barack Obama to "reconsider" sending 17,000 additional troops to Afghanistan without first securing an exit strategy.
"We urge you to reconsider such a military escalation," wrote the lawmakers, saying the planned deployments "may well be counterproductive."
"We are also concerned that any perceived military success in Afghanistan might create pressure to increase military activity in Pakistan. This could very well lead to dangerous destabilization in the region and would increase hostility toward the United States," they added.
Former presidential contenders Ron Paul, a Republican, and Democrat Dennis Kucinich told reporters the administration needed to clarify its policy in Afghanistan.
Paul said the letter was "just urging caution because we're hoping, with the new administration, that we'll have an administration that will lend itself more to diplomacy and working through other means other than always military confrontation."
"Sending 17,000 troops over there and continuing the drone bombing of Pakistan is hardly a change in policy," he added.
"A troop surge is not the answer," Kucinich said.
"Afghani citizens and families do not need more destruction and violence. They need homes, jobs, and education. They need security, the rule of law and opportunity."
Obama is likely to unveil the results of his strategic review before US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attends a March 31 ministerial-level conference on Afghanistan in the Hague and the president heads to Europe for a series of meetings, officials have said.
The new US war strategy is expected to include more economic and military aid for Pakistan, as well as efforts to beef up Afghanistan's military and try to tamp down raids by Pakistan-based extremists on targets in Afghanistan.
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved.