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Specter Comments on Sending More Troops to Afghanistan

Statement

Date: Dec. 1, 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Foreign Affairs

Specter Comments on Sending More Troops to Afghanistan

U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) tonight issued the following statement after President Obama's remarks on Afghanistan and Pakistan:

"I oppose sending 30,000 additional American troops to Afghanistan because I am not persuaded that it is indispensable in our fight against Al Qaeda. If it was, I would support an increase because we have to do whatever it takes to defeat Al Qaeda since they're out to annihilate us. But if Al Qaeda can operate out of Yemen or Somalia, why fight in Afghanistan where no one has succeeded?

"I disagree with the President's two key assumptions: that we can transfer responsibility to Afghanistan after 18 months and that our NATO allies will make a significant contribution. It is unrealistic to expect the United States to be out in 18 months so there is really no exit strategy. This venture is not worth so many American lives or the billions it will add to our deficit."


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