President Barack Obama plans to send 4,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan to train local forces and set benchmarks for progress in battling militants there and in Pakistan, administration officials said.
The president’s new strategy for turning the corner in the eight-year-old war, to be announced this morning, comes amid increased insurgent activity and before Afghanistan’s presidential and provincial elections scheduled for Aug. 20.
Obama also would support legislation to boost economic aid to Pakistan to $1.5 billion a year in exchange for that country cracking down on Taliban and al-Qaeda militants hiding out along border, the officials, who briefed reporters last night, said.
The administration began outlining the new strategy for members of Congress yesterday. Obama also will be discussing it with other leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization when he meets with them for a summit April 3-4 on the French- German border. The administration has been pressing the allies to shoulder more responsibility in Afghanistan.
The 4,000 extra U.S. troops, which are in addition to the 17,000 military personnel Obama already has ordered to the country, will prepare Afghan forces to take a bigger role. All the extra troops are scheduled to be in the country by fall.
“They are going to stress training the Afghans,” House Defense Appropriations subcommittee Chairman John Murtha said after a briefing by Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Admiral Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
‘Realistic’ Goals
Murtha, a Pennsylvania Democrat, said the goals of the strategy are “realistic.” He described them as: “Train the Afghans and then get the hell out of there.”
The new U.S. approach also includes strengthening Pakistan through more aid, as proposed by Senators John Kerry, a Massachusetts Democrat, and Richard Lugar, an Indiana Republican.
Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said parts of the plan “are very constructive and positive,” citing the need to get trainers into the country. He said he’s still concerned about terrorist bases in Pakistan.
The administration plans stepped up diplomacy in the region, as well. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton welcomed Iran’s planned participation next week in an international conference on Afghanistan. Iran “has a role to play in the region, and we hope it will be a constructive role,” Clinton said yesterday in Mexico.
Sources : http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=afZ_eWlhL6a0&refer=home
