Rep Buchanan Report From Afghanistan

Fresh From Visit To Afghanistan, Buchanan Praises Troops

Says Additional Forces Needed To Protect America

Washington, D.C. Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-13), just back from a four-day visit to Afghanistan, said he will support an increase in American troops to fight the Taliban and prevent Al Qaeda from regaining a foothold in that country.

The Taliban is a destabilizing force in Afghanistan with ties to Al Qaeda, said Buchanan. They are a threat to the United States. We need to provide additional combat troops in the region to enable the counterinsurgency strategy focusing both on al Qaeda and the Taliban to succeed.

Buchanan said the administration should give strong consideration to General McChrystals request for 40,000 additional troops as well as other experts and that the troop level should be based on the appropriate level to accomplish their mission.

I am extremely proud of the troops, said Buchanan. They are highly skilled, motivated and confident that with additional troops they can achieve their mission.

Buchanan noted that Afghanistan's election commission declared President Hamid Karzai the winner of the election after his challenger pulled out of a runoff that had been scheduled for this coming Saturday.

With the election behind us, I am hopeful that the country of Afghanistan will move forward in a positive direction to clean up government, reduce corruption and ensure fair and open elections in the future, added Buchanan.

Buchanan and U.S. Reps. Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-GU); Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-52nd-CA); Rep. Larry Kissell (D-8th-NC), Rep. John Adler (D-3rd-NJ); and Rep. Christopher Lee (R-NY-26); left Washington, D.C. late Thursday, October 29 and returned early on Monday, November 2. During the fact-finding trip, they visited Kabul, Regional Command South at Camp Bastion, Regional Command East at Bagram Airbase and Kia.

This is Buchanans second trip to Afghanistan. The two-term Member of Congress went to Iraq and Afghanistan in April of 2007.

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• Vern Buchaann
• Afghanistan
• Congress
• House of Representatives
• War
• Florida
• Sarasota
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• Troops
• General

[sketchy8]

The threat to our national security is our very presence in the Middle East. If we were really concerned about national security it would make sense to start enforcing immigration laws and beefing up boarder security. It is pathetic how we have not allocated sufficient resources to do so.

[robertelder1]

I agree with theresalynn3456. We have no business there. Are we in a holy war?

[theresalynn3456]

I too am a veteran and I believe the opposite. Leave Afganistan, Iraq, Iran and all other countries in that area alone. We have killed enough of our troops for people who have little or no appreciation for their sacrafice. Enough is enough - Get Out Now

[BJWard46]

I am a combat wounded veteran and I want thank you for your work as My Congressman

Thank you

Bobby

[edbrown9]

Good as far as it goes. But the Administration dithers while oppportunities are lost and the troops are in danger.

Pls push the White House for resolution.

Edward Brown

[brufar]

Rep Buchanan....Very appropriate  and commendable speech,Thank You for your representation.

Bruce & Nina Farley