Kit Bond

U.S. Senator - Missouri

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Bond Unveils Roadmap to Long-Term Success in South Asia

Senator to Tour Region Critical to National Security Next Week


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December 11, 2008


WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Kit Bond, Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, today unveiled his roadmap to long-term success in South Asia, a plan that he has been discussing with General Petraeus, and current and incoming officials at the highest levels in the Administration.  Bond also announced that he will be visiting the region next week where he will meet with key intelligence operators, foreign intelligence officials, U.S. Embassy personnel, and military officials on his plan for victory, stabilization, and security particularly in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. 
 
            “There is no doubt that success in Afghanistan and Pakistan will not occur overnight but there is too much at stake for our own national security for us to give up or head down the wrong path just because we want a quick resolution,” said Bond.  “Our success in Iraq is a shining example of what we can accomplish with the right strategy and the right leadership and coordination. The steps I have outlined will put us on the right path—a path towards victory, stabilization, and security that will ensure that we don’t just win the battle, but we win the war.”
 
            As Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Bond has long stressed the importance in achieving success in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region to America’s national security and to our allies.  Bond has visited the region over the years and in October sent staff to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India to collect on-the-ground-assessments of our government operations.  During these multiple fact-finding trips to the region it became apparent that U.S. efforts were not being conducted pursuant to a comprehensive strategy. Also, key development projects were not being coordinated with local leaders and therefore were not supported by the people on the ground.  In addition, areas which had been cleared by American troops were not being held adequately with security forces and therefore the Taliban had returned to those areas.
 
            Bond pointed out that these findings and others demonstrate that the United States needs a real Roadmap to Success in the region now more than ever.  In the past few years America’s control and influence in the area have eroded.  Despite a significant increase in the number of foreign troops under NATO leadership and aid sent to Afghanistan since 2002, security has declined, narcotics production has increased dramatically, and the Afghan public has little confidence in either its government or the international community to provide security, governance, and development.
           
            Bond warned policy makers not to let the dire news in Afghanistan lead to rash policy making – he pointed out that the situation in Iraq also seemed dire when our efforts were dominated by a misguided military strategy.  As the result of the fine leadership of General Petraeus and the implementation of his counterinsurgency strategy, we are seeing real progress in Iraq and this success proves we can succeed in our fight against terrorism. 
 
            The Senator’s upcoming trip will allow Bond to see first-hand the latest challenges and talk to officials about his findings and recommendations.  The top recommendations from Bond’s Roadmap to Success in South Asia stipulate that:
 
*         The U.S. Government must develop and coalesce around a comprehensive strategy designed to meet a set of clearly defined goals for the Afghanistan-Pakistan region;
 
*         In order to implement the comprehensive regional strategy, the in-coming President should appoint and actively support a Washington-based Special Coordinator for U.S. Government efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
                                                            **FULL EXECUTIVE SUMMARY IS ATTACHED**  
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