Posted on 10/01/2009 5:36:31 PM PDT by SandRat
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2009 – President Barack Obama is getting the ground-level perspective on Afghanistan, and soon will address the strategy and resources needed in the country, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said here today.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates expects a decision on the way forward in Afghanistan in a matter of weeks, Morrell told MSNBC. “I would remind you that the Bush administration when they were deliberating whether or not to surge forces into Iraq took about three months to come to that conclusion,” he said.
Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, chief of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, recently submitted to the Pentagon and White House his assessment of Afghan operations and requirements. The general believes that the right strategy is more important than resources, Morrell said.
“We need to be much more focused on changing the strategy, changing how we behave on the ground in Afghanistan,” Morrell said. “If we are able to win the trust and confidence of the Afghan people, if they trust that we are there by their side and committed to being there for the duration, he believes we can succeed.”
The McChrystal strategy is making inroads with Gates, Morrell said. “The secretary, I think, is growing increasingly comfortable with that notion,” he said.
The secretary has said he is uncomfortable with a large foreign military presence in Afghanistan. “General McChrystal was making the case to him and to others that it’s not the size of the force; it’s how that force behaves” that matters most, the press secretary said.
McChrystal believes the Afghan people do not regard U.S. and NATO forces as occupiers, Morrell said. This will continue as long as International Security Assistance Force personnel ensure the population is protected and that civilian casualties are kept to the minimum.
Obama’s meeting yesterday with civilian and military leaders lasted three hours, Morrell said. Vice President Joe Biden; Gates; Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; retired Marine Gen. Jim Jones, the assistant to the president for national security; and Army Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. Central Command; participated.
McChrystal, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry and U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Ann Patterson joined the meeting by teleconference, Morrell said.
Yes, but the health care reform must be passed without reading the bill immediately, even though it doesn’t take effect until 2013!
What was that brilliant strategy Obama said he had in March? The fraudulent marxist pretender needs to be removed from office ASAP.
How kind of Obama to take the time out of his rock star schedule.
The decisions is, either take out the terrorists, or allow them to repopulate Iraq and elsewhere, and surrender to them.
Any other questions Barack?
Wow.
Very timely .
A matter of weeks.......
How lame.
I guess that Copenhagen is WAY more important
Has Gates sold his soul?
Weeks! 43 of our people have died over there since that report from the general was placed on Obama’s desk. How would you feel being a relative or parent of one of those kids ... why did they die ... what did they die for? Hell, these kids don’t even know if they are at war or not under these circumstances. This is OFF THE WALL Serious!!!!!
43 of our American boys have been killed since the general asked for more troops. DO THE JOB OR GET OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Weeks? I guess the military can kick back for a few weeks then.
Last I heard, before Obama got involved with the UN and the Olympics, was that they hadn’t yet allowed General McChrystal to send them his report.
Also, of course, Obama has only talked to McChrystal once, as part of a conference call.
So it’s not exactly clear how he feels able to review McChrystal’s recommendations when he hasn’t even seen them yet.
“I guess that Copenhagen is WAY more important’
Yep, money to be had with two corrupt organizations trying to shake down each other. No time to be Presidential even if he could. By the way I wonder how much this is going to cost us?
Typical conservative response. I suppose you are white, too.
Bush left Obama this war. Obama found the memo in the bottom drawer of the Resolute desk. He did not ever hear there was a war on in Afghanistan. It takes time to formulate policy and Obama is busy working on the economy, Chicago’s Olympic bid, and global warming. Duh!
Plus, Bush put that desk in the Oval Office just to embarrass Obama. Resolute - don’t think the joke isn’t obvious!
The latest.
Thanks Sandy.
What, exactly, does he need to think about? It certainly can’t have anything to do with completing the mission, only politicizing war. His general is telling him we need more troops over there to get the job done. Is it really that hard of a choice?
He has to first get approval for the Red Diaper Doper Babies.
“I would remind you that the Bush administration when they were deliberating whether or not to surge forces into Iraq took about three months to come to that conclusion,” he said.
Oh. The old We’re-no-worse-than-Bush defense.
Yeah, that’s the ticket.
This jackass has no idea what a command decision is nor does anyone of the cronies who surround him. What else is there to say?
I think I read somewhere that he wanted to consult with Oprah on what to do about Afghanistan.
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