DeLauro Statement on Meeting with President Obama to Discuss Afghanistan Strategy

Statement

DeLauro Statement on Meeting with President Obama to Discuss Afghanistan Strategy

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn. -3) met Wednesday with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Members of Congress to discuss a new strategy for U.S. policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"The path forward in Afghanistan has many challenges and I very much appreciated the opportunity to sit down with President Obama and Vice President Biden to discuss our strategy as we move ahead after my visit to Afghanistan. While I have my concerns, which I shared in the meeting, I also recognize that the challenges we face in Afghanistan and Pakistan are critical to our national security and that the President is right to refocus our efforts there.

"In our discussions, it was clear to me that the President understands that his Administration must do what the Bush Administration failed to do and that is to provide a clear rationale for our mission, state the goals and offer a definition of success to the American people and the world. I have no doubt that our military can get the job done, they just need a clear mission. I also have confidence that the President will move forward with a strategy that not only relies on our military, but also uses all other tools at our disposal-diplomatic, economic and political- in working effectively with our NATO allies to bring stability to the region."

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