Posted on 09/11/2008 5:27:11 AM PDT by pissant
Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee issued the following opening statement:
Today, the U.S. House Armed Services Committee heard testimony from Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Admiral Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, regarding ongoing operations and the way ahead in Iraq and Afghanistan. Drawing attention to the fact that Iraq remains the central front in the war on terror and U.S. efforts in Afghanistan have denied al-Qaeda the opportunity to successfully plan and execute an attack in the United States, Ranking Republican Duncan Hunter (R-CA) released the following opening statement for the hearing:
"Thank you to our Chairman, Ike Skelton, for holding today's hearing on the status of the current U.S. strategy and operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the way ahead in both theaters. Given our dedication to protecting U.S. national security interests, our committee approaches this particular subject in a truly bipartisan way to ensure that the Department of Defense is employing our nation's armed forces as optimally as possible. President Bush's announcement yesterday--to remove some 8,000 American troops from Iraq by February--makes this hearing and discussion especially timely. I look forward to the testimony of Secretary Gates, Admiral Mullen, Ambassador Edelman, and General Winnefeld. Gentlemen, thank you for being here.
"Since I just mentioned the President's announcement yesterday, I would like to highlight a few key points regarding our ongoing and successful efforts in Iraq:
* "First of all, let's be clear about one fact: the surge has worked. Violence in Iraq has dropped to its lowest level in 4 years. Since June 2007, deaths from ethno-sectarian violence have dropped over 90%, and the average number of attacks is down over 80%. Events involving improvised explosive devices have decreased over 70%. In the first half of 2008, coalition forces found 85% more caches than during that same timeframe in 2007.
* "Second, a significant factor in these security gains has been the increasing capability and capacity of the Iraqi Security Forces. As evidenced by actual combat operations, ISF are proving themselves in the heat of battle and continue to accept more and more responsibility for stabilizing and securing their own nation.
* "And finally, as Iraq has become more secure and as these ISF have stood up, General Petraeus has assessed that about 8,000 additional U.S. forces can redeploy out of that nation without jeopardizing those hard-fought gains. These forces include a Marine battalion, an Army combat brigade, and some 3,400 combat support forces like aviation, explosive ordnance, engineering, military police, and logistical support personnel.
"These are important developments. As General Petraeus takes command of Central Command and as General Odierno begins his tour as the commander of Multi-National Force-Iraq, they and our commanders on the ground must continue to assess the security situation, adjust force levels as necessary, and transition responsibilities to the ISF--and allow the Government of Iraq to advance its political, economic, and reconstruction agendas and take on a greater role in improving the lives of the Iraqi people.
"And as these advances occur, we must also keep our eye on the other theater of operations within Central Command's area of responsibility and maintain focus on Afghanistan as another critical front in the global fight against violent extremism.
"Since the United States and coalition partners ousted the Taliban regime in 2001, there have been positive developments in a country that was once the world's leading example of a failed state. A few examples include: several key Taliban and al-Qaeda leaders have been killed or captured, there have been marked improvements in the capabilities of the Afghan National Army, nascent democratic institutions are up and running, and GDP and Foreign Direct Investment have increased.
"Despite the hard-won progress that has been made, the coalition effort in Afghanistan remains plagued by serious and evolving challenges, including:
* "American, coalition, and Afghan forces are facing a more sophisticated and determined Taliban and al-Qaeda terrorist threat, particularly in the eastern and southern parts of the country.
* "Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters continue to take refuge in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) and have an unacceptable level of freedom of movement along the rugged Afghanistan-Pakistan border. In the Pashtun tribal area along this border, the enemy can reconstitute and launch attacks on U.S., coalition, and Afghan forces.
* "Elements within Afghanistan continue to cultivate poppy, producing 93% of the world's opium. This destabilizing activity threatens the country's efforts to move toward legitimate economic self-sufficiency.
* "U.S. forces and the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) have lacked a comprehensive strategy. For far too long, the division of labor and organization of our forces have violated the fundamental rule of military operations--unity of command and unity of effort.
* "While we must recognize the efforts and sacrifices of our NATO allies, some of our partners, due to their national politics, continue to restrict "where" and "how" their forces operate, resulting in uneven efforts across regions and commands.
"Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen, these challenges are no secret to you or our commanders on the ground. The President's announcement yesterday that we will deploy additional U.S. forces to Afghanistan demonstrates our unwavering resolve to work with our coalition and Afghan partners to create the conditions for stability and economic prosperity.
"Afghanistan is not Iraq. Therefore, we should develop and implement our approach accordingly. However, we are learning important lessons from our counter-insurgency efforts in Iraq, and I believe that we can apply some of these lessons learned in Afghanistan.
"First, under the leadership of the United States, we need a comprehensive strategy specific to the terrorist and insurgency challenges we face in Afghanistan, which can be translated into an integrated joint campaign plan and used to determine the types and levels of resources needed to implement an interagency "clear", "hold", and "build" plan.
"Second, we need better coordination and synchronization of kinetic and non-kinetic efforts. The recent decision to "dual-hat" General David McKiernan is a step in the right direction. By giving him command of both U.S. and NATO-ISAF forces, we are moving to streamline unity of command and our efforts in Afghanistan. I have advocated for this model with each of you in the last several months and would encourage my colleagues in the Senate to support this decision.
"Third, we need to ensure that our commanders and war fighters have the "right" 21st Century enablers at the "right" levels. For example, we need to think about 'curtaining' the Afghanistan-Pakistan border with persistent ISR coverage. This would allow us to effectively interdict al-Qaeda and Taliban terrorists by linking a quick reaction force with ISR capabilities. Such tactical surveillance, with the support of Congress, has successfully aided the U.S. in devastating road-side bomb emplacers in Iraq.
"Lastly, we need to continue to build the size and capability of the Afghan National Security Forces--troops who have the will and courage to the fight the enemy that threatens their future.
"In addition to applying these lessons in Afghanistan, we must encourage Pakistan to put on a "full court press" on its side of the tribal border. Although the country is in a time of political transition, Pakistan must do all it can to deny sanctuary to Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters and thwart cross border movement. We also need to continue to pressure some of our NATO allies to meet their commitments in "winning" the war with finality in Afghanistan, including abolishing restrictions on its fighting forces and fulfilling its commitments.
"Now is the time for realistic solutions. We are winning the war in Iraq and with continued support we will win the war in Afghanistan. For those who say Afghanistan is the "forgotten war", our efforts in Afghanistan since 2001 have prevented al-Qaeda from planning and executing a successful attack on the United States."
I hope Pres. McCain gives Hunter an appointment, along with Bolton
Thank you, Duncan, my good man.
I hope that the DEMS do not get to the White House in 2009-2013. Their ticket will not achieve victory because OBAMA believes the real serious threat to world peace is the U.S.
He's thinking like a European, not an American. This is dangerous because Europeans don't conclude wars with a decisive victory. Americans do!!!
......He’s thinking like a European.....
He is European. He is not really American. The thought holds true for most of America north and east of New York
Clear about one fact: The surge has worked.
***It gives me great pleasure to B4DH.
* “First of all, let’s be clear about one fact: the surge has worked.
Sounds like McCain had one right whether he gets any others correct.
The man needs to be Secty. of Defense, state, AG....just put him in there so we know one job is getting done!
“......He’s thinking like a European.....
He is European. He is not really American. The thought holds true for most of America north and east of New York”
Barak didn’t even grow up in this country. Why is anyone surprised he doesn’t think like an American. He needs 20 years in Alaska, and he might get it.
Amen Aunt B.
ditto!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.