FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 06, 2006

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi Statement on Fifth Anniversary of War in Afghanistan

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the fifth anniversary of the war in Afghanistan, which is tomorrow, October 7:

“In response to the September 11 attacks, our nation, with the support of the international community, went to war against those responsible: Osama bin Ladin and the Taliban government that protected him in Afghanistan.  Our objective was to destroy them both. 

“Despite the heroic efforts of our troops under dangerous and difficult conditions, that objective has not been achieved.  Five years after the war in Afghanistan began, bin Ladin and Taliban leaders like Mullah Omar remain free, attacks by al Qaeda and Taliban forces are increasing, and opium production in Afghanistan is at record levels. 

“President Bush’s failure to finish the job against terrorism in Afghanistan before launching his ill-advised invasion of Iraq has made the lives of the Afghan people more difficult and the American people less safe.  The war against terrorism is in Afghanistan, and unless the President makes winning that war an immediate priority, the risks to the security of the United States will continue to grow.”

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi