House Armed Services Committee: Skelton Praises Announcement to Increase U.S. Troop Commitment in Afghanistan

House Armed Services Committee: Skelton Praises Announcement to Increase U.S. Troop Commitment in Afghanistan

Ike Skelton, Chairman
For Immediate Release: February 17, 2009

Washington, DC – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) praised today’s announcement to increase U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan:

“Commanders in Afghanistan have been calling for more troops to meet mission requirements. Today’s announcement committing additional U.S. troops in Afghanistan signals that we are restoring American leadership to the coalition effort to defeat al Qaeda and the Taliban and to support the Government of Afghanistan. I hope our NATO allies will take our example to heart and provide more assistance as well.

“But in addition to our military contributions, we must also increase the civilian resources available to improve security and stability in Afghanistan. This is extremely important. The military’s role is critical, but we must use all of our tools – military, diplomatic, economic – to meet the challenges in this region. I look forward to working with the administration to chart the path ahead in Afghanistan.”

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Afghanistan, HASC (House Armed Services Committee)