Tuesday November 24, 2009
Obama says will announce Afghan plan soon
By Jeff Mason and Adam Entous
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Tuesday he will announce a new U.S. strategy for Afghanistan soon and that his intention will be to have a plan to "finish the job" there after eight years of war.
 |
U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during a rally with troops at Osan Air Base in South Korea, November 19, 2009. (REUTERS/Jim Young) |
Obama, at a joint news conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, spoke a day after his final meeting with his war council about his new strategy.
Influential voices in Obama's national security cabinet, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates and military chiefs, favor a U.S. troop increase of 30,000-plus, officials said. The final number could reach 35,000 once U.S. trainers are factored in, but estimates on the number of trainers vary widely.
Obama would not be drawn out on specifics but said he would have an announcement after this week's Thanksgiving holiday. He is expected to give a prime-time address next Tuesday.
"I will be making an announcement to the American people about how we intend to move forward. I will be doing so shortly," he said.
Noting that the Afghanistan war has been going on for eight years, Obama said "it is my intention to finish the job" there.
Under pressure from Democrats and many Americans to find a way out of Afghanistan, Obama said it is going to be important to recognize that the Afghan people "are ultimately going to have to provide for their own security."
He said he will discuss in his strategy a clear rationale for what the United States is doing in Afghanistan and will say how Afghan security forces can be trained and equipped.
(Additional reporting by Andy Sullivan, Kim Dixon, and Caren Bohan; Editing by Sandra Maler)
Copyright © 2008 Reuters
News Poll
- Man posted doctored photos of Nik Aziz
- Heartbreaking wait for mum
- Sodomy II: Karpal claims judge lied (Updated)
- The world just got bigger
- Opposition leaders decry court’s ruling
- Weather warning for Perak, Selangor and Sabah
- Thumbs-up for Najib
- 5-0 for BN’s Zambry
- Saiful files report over death threat
- WWF: Orang asli being used
- 60 lose RM25mil in gold investment scam
- Canberra to set new skills list
- Sodomy II: Karpal claims judge lied (Updated)
- Weather warning for Perak, Selangor and Sabah
- MAS offers CNY bargains
- ‘Flashing candy’ a health hazard: Health Ministry
- Saiful files report over death threat
- Fleet card cloning ring busted with arrest of trio
- WWF: Orang asli being used
- Heavy vehicle ban during CNY rush
RSS
