Statement From Sen. Voinovich Post Presidential Afghanistan Decision

Statement

U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH) today released the following statement after President Obama's Afghanistan decision:

"Last night, President Obama made it clear to the American people and the international community that he understands how important it is to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda in Afghanistan. He laid out a clear, coherent, measurable and realistic plan of action.

"I am very pleased the president heeded my calls to not make his decision unilaterally, instead coordinating with our international community -- especially our NATO allies. It is also vital we have commitments from regional players, and he made it clear that a partnership with Pakistan will be vital to regional stability and our success in Afghanistan.

"I am also glad that President Obama emphasized that we are going to be a partner of Afghanistan -- not its patron. The flexible timetable he outlined puts pressure on the Afghan government to restore the faith of its people, end corruption and build the human infrastructure needed to provide for their own national security.

"One of the greatest challenges terrorism has caused our nation is a significant draw-down of financial resources. I hope to hear more from the administration on how this will be addressed. We will have to work together to ensure that the freedom we fight for today allows our future generations to grow without insurmountable debt."

As a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Sen. Voinovich has the responsibility to provide our men and women in uniform and the State Department with the equipment and resources required to help achieve a secure and stable Afghanistan.

In October, Sen. Voinovich wrote a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Rodman Clinton offering specific suggestions on how to cultivate international support from our NATO allies on Afghanistan. Secretary Clinton responded to the senator's letter this month.

In the past several months Sen. Voinovich has held meetings on Afghanistan policy and spoken with senior Obama Administration officials and regional policy experts including Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, National Security Advisor Jim Jones, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, former United Nations Ambassador and former Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad, Fred Kagan of the American Enterprise Institute, and Kim Kagan of the Institute for the Study of War.

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