| For Immediate Release | |
| November 20, 2009 |
(202) 225-6536 |
BLUNT URGES DECISION
ON AFGHANISTAN TROOP LEVELS
–“We fear this process has emboldened our enemies.” –
WASHINGTON, DC— Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt today urged President Obama to make a final decision about troop levels in Afghanistan. In a letter signed by fourteen Republican Members of Congress, including Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio), Blunt calls on the president to adopt General McChrystal’s recommendations and provide the forces and strategic direction necessary to fight and win.
In the letter, the Members write: “For over two months you have been engaged in a strategy review that has left the country, our military, and allies uncertain about your commitment to the war in Afghanistan and unsure about your will to do what it is necessary to win this conflict. Worse, we fear this process has emboldened our enemies.”
“While no one disputes that a Commander-in-Chief should deliberate before making decisions, particularly in matters involving life and death, we believe this review is having a detrimental impact on our efforts in Afghanistan,” the letter further reads. “While 68,000 U.S. forces are fighting on the battlefield, your strategy review in Washington has returned the country to the policy drift that undermined our efforts in Afghanistan for much of the war.”
“Mr. President, only you can put this conflict back on a path toward success in our mission to deny al-Qaeda and the Taliban safe haven in Afghanistan to plan and execute attacks on Americans. Our military forces want to know that their mission has the attention and support of the Commander-in-Chief. While you rightly speak of military sacrifice, we seldom hear you speak of success. We encourage you to make a spirited defense of your strategy. Absent your leadership and a public determination to win in Afghanistan we simply cannot succeed.
“Mr. President now is the time where the country needs your leadership. While our men and women in uniform are faithfully executing your mission in Afghanistan, they long for your voice to lead and guide the debate on the war here at home. Our military is the best fighting force in the world. Yet, it is the American will to win – not precision guided munitions – which is their most important weapon. As Commander-in-Chief you are responsible for ensuring this critical weapon is delivered,” the letter concludes.
