Washington – Upon learning that President Obama will be revealing his strategic plans for the American troop commitment in Afghanistan early next week, U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) issued the following statement:
“I believe the President has been wise to take the time to allow his general on the ground, General Stanley McChrystal, and the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan and former Commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry, to offer their full recommendations.
“However, I believe the American people need to know that we have a strategy in Afghanistan with an end in sight. For too long, our uniformed men and women in Afghanistan have been denied a comprehensive strategy worthy of their sacrifice. We also need to know that Afghanistan’s neighbors and our NATO allies are committed to a solution. We need to know that the Afghan government is going to take critical steps to address corruption, conduct honest and free elections and improve its overall effectiveness. Finally, we need to know how an increase in American troop strength allows the Afghan military to assume more responsibility for their country’s security.
“I recognize that this is a tough decision for the President, but I need to be convinced that sending more Americans into harm’s way is in our national security interest.”
