The United States military effort in Afghanistan couldn’t be successful without the current deployment surge, which is sending an additional 30,000 American troops to the war-torn country, according to U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind.
The 2nd District Congressman returned Tuesday from a trip to Romania, Pakistan and Afghanistan with four other members of Congress.
Donnelly said in a teleconference with Indiana reporters Wednesday that the surge is intended to re-establish the control of the Afghanistan government in the south and southwest territories that are friendly to the Taliban.
“This is a counter-insurgency,” he said. “The goal is to clean the Taliban from the territory, hold it and rebuild the area.”
Donnelly said once the area is secured, the U.S. Agency for International Development will provide water, electricity and medical care and the Afghanistan army and police will be used to stabilize the area.
He said the U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan will peak in July 2011, and the military will start withdrawing troops as conditions allow. Donnelly said the hope by that time is that there will be 240,000 Afghanistan troops and 160,000 police officers.
“We have just started the surge,” Donnelly said, “we have to give it time to work and determine the effectiveness.”
Donnelly said during a visit to Afghanistan in 2008, he was aware the U.S. military didn’t have the resources to keep the Taliban out of an area.
“Today it is a different situation,” he said. “We have enough resources.”
Pressure is being applied on low level Taliban fighters to switch sides and join government forces, Donnelly said.
He said that will be accomplished by improving government services in the area and ending corruption in the Afghanistan government.
“People support the government, but are disappointed about the corruption,” Donnelly said. “The Taliban has used the corruption to gain support.”
Donnelly said the key to the war in Afghanistan is to have a stability in neighboring Pakistan.
“Pakistan has been the central location for al-Qaida leaders,” he said.
Donnelly said Pakistan has started a major military offensive along the border between the two countries.
“We don’t want the Afghanistan Taliban to use Pakistan as a safe haven,” he said. “The government is on the offensive and intends to hold those areas.”
Donnelly said the Pakistan government’s objective is to regain control in territories where the Taliban and al-Qaida have a strong presence.
“Without Pakistan cooperation, it makes the military operation more difficult in Afghanistan,” he said.
Donnelly said Pakistan has nuclear weapons and it’s important those weapons don’t fall into the hands of the Taliban and al-Qaida. He said Pakistan officials assured the congressional delegation that the weapons are secured.
• Ken de la Bastide is the Kokomo Tribune enterprise editor. He can be reached at 765-454-8580 or via e-mail at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com
Local News
Related Photos
-
TAKING A LOOK: Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., right, and Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., fly over Spin Boldak, a town on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
Discussion
Donnelly feels surge key to Afghan success
Its goal is to establish government’s control
- Local News
-
- Daddy/Daughter Valentine Dance
-
Victory worth celebrating: United Way raises more than $600,000 for area organizations
Joe Johnson stood at the front of the room where a “small army” of community leaders had just been recognized for their work in raising more than $600,000 for United Way of Cass County. “Woah,” said the incoming campaign chairman. “This is scary.”
-
Accused rapist charged with felony in Arizona
A Logansport man out on bail on multiple sex-related charges was arrested last week in Arizona after police say he tried to attack his dad with a pair of kitchen knives.
-
Jurors: Galveston man not guilty of molest
A jury took only an hour Wednesday to decide that a Galveston man was not guilty of molesting a 9-year-old girl a decade ago.
-
Sen. Head to run for re-election
State Sen. Randy Head announced Wednesday he will seek re-election.
-
Retired Navy chief, former judge announce bids for local office
A former Cass Superior Court judge and a retired senior chief with the Navy announced their candidacies for local seats Wednesday.
-
Snowless savings: Warm weather lowers expenses
The unseasonably warm temperatures have allowed state and local road crews to perform roadwork usually conducted in the fall, lowered Logansport Municipal Utilities electric usage and saved all departments overtime pay for employees.
-
Logansport sees jump in grad rate
Logansport High School saw its graduation rate jump four percentage points in numbers released this week by the Indiana Department of Education.
-
Officials break ground on $1.1M Eel River Run
Contractors are set to begin work on the mile-long Eel River Run trail in downtown Logansport — the result of more than eight years of planning.
-
Fifth candidate files for county council
A longtime Logansport Municipal Utilities worker and former business owner is the first Democrat to file for county office in the coming primary election.
- More Local News Headlines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
