Afghanistan's Elections Are Important Step, But Challenges Remain in Path to Stability and Security, Says Ros-Lehtinen

Statement

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, made the following statement on the presidential and provincial elections in Afghanistan. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

"I'm encouraged by reports of high participation by Afghans even with threats of violence leading up to these elections, demonstrating progress after the 2009 election which was marred by fraud and corruption. As Chairman of the House subcommittee that has jurisdiction over Afghanistan, I have held three subcommittee hearings and last May, led a bipartisan congressional delegation to Afghanistan and reiterated to President Karzai the importance of a peaceful and democratic transition to a new leader in Afghanistan through this election.

"While Saturday's elections are an important step on the path to political stability and self-governance, there remain key challenges for the new government to confront. In order to not threaten the sacrifice made by our brave servicemen and women, we must ensure that an adequate number of U.S. forces remain to help train and advise Afghan National Security Forces to counter the Taliban, who if they gain control, could allow al-Qaeda to regroup and use safe havens in Pakistan as a staging ground for attacks against U.S. national security interests.

"I hope we can work with the new Afghan government to tackle the pervasive corruption that not only corrodes democratic institutions and processes, but enables illicit drug activities which finance criminal networks and extremist groups. I urge the Obama Administration to remain committed to achieving our objectives in Afghanistan and not make decisions based on political calculations."

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