Washington, DC---U.S. House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Howard P. "Buck" McKeon today called on President Obama to help Hamid Karzai's new government in Afghanistan reinvent itself by recommitting to his March counterinsurgency strategy and providing his commander, General Stanley McChrsytal, with the resources he requested.
Rep. McKeon’s statement follows:
"With the Afghan presidency decided, now is the time for President Obama to help President Hamid Karzai reinvent himself.
"The Taliban and al-Qaeda are the enemy. They are working to destabilize the political and security situation in Afghanistan and cast doubt within the Afghan population and international community about the effectiveness and legitimacy of the government.
"President Karzai and his government have an opportunity to regain the momentum by committing to stamping out corruption, establishing the rule of law across Afghanistan, working to eradicate poppies and create alternative livelihoods, and providing basic services to the Afghan people.
"However, the security environment must be stabilized in order to create breathing room for the Karzai government to operate. President Obama, by recommitting to his March counterinsurgency strategy and providing his commander the resources he requested--including the deployment of a significant number of new U.S. troops--can help President Karzai and the Afghan people achieve safety and security."
"Now is the time for the President to act decisively."
