October 24, 2011

Rep. Dicks Reacts to Afghan Leader's Comments

Following is a statement from U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash), ranking Democratic Member of the House Appropriations Committee and its Defense Subcommittee, regarding statements made last week by the President of Afghanistan:

“When Afghan President Hamid Karzai made the incongruous statement recently that Afghanistan would support Pakistan in a war against the United States, he was dismissing the enormous commitment the U.S. has made to restore democratic rule to his nation. 

“Without the assistance of the United States, $468 billion from the United States Treasury and the supreme sacrifice of 1,820 American soldiers who have died during Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan would still be ruled by a gang of Taliban thugs with few individual liberties and no popularly-elected leaders. 

“The sentiments expressed by President Karzai underscore the need for the United States to re-evaluate the mission as well as the schedule for re-deploying our troops as the Karzai government assumes its appropriate responsibility to provide for the safety and security of the Afghan people.”

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