–Full Complement of 30,000 ‘Surge’ Troops to Come Home by ‘Next Summer’
–Time to Start Nation Building at Home

By Heather Scott

WASHINGTON (MNI) – President Barack Obama confirmed Wednesday night
that he is recalling 10,000 American troops from Afghanistan this year,
drawing down the forces sent in the surge early last year to quell the
intractable violence in certain areas.

Declaring at least a partial victory in the goals of that mission,
Obama said all 33,000 of the “surge” troops should return home by next
summer, although the timing will be flexible.

And, he said, the draw down of all U.S. forces will continue as the
local authorities take on more of the security responsibilities.

“When I announced this surge at West Point, we set clear
objectives: to refocus on Al Qaeda; reverse the Taliban’s momentum; and
train Afghan Security Forces to defend their own country. I also made it
clear that our commitment would not be open-ended, and that we would
begin to drawdown our forces this July,” Obama said in the nationally
televised address.

“Tonight, I can tell you that we are fulfilling that commitment.
Thanks to our men and women in uniform, our civilian personnel, and our
many coalition partners, we are meeting our goals,” he said.

“After this initial reduction, our troops will continue coming home
at a steady pace as Afghan Security forces move into the lead. Our
mission will change from combat to support. By 2014, this process of
transition will be complete, and the Afghan people will be responsible
for their own security.”

In the wake of the U.S. mission that killed Osama bin Laden, Obama
said the decision is being made “from a position of strength” at a time
when “Al Qaeda is under more pressure than at any time since 9/11.”

And addressing concerns that drawing down troops would only
embolden the Taliban and Al Qaeda, Obama said the information taken from
bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan showed the terrorist group was under
“enormous strain” unable to replace members who had been killed.

At the same time, “In Afghanistan, we’ve inflicted serious losses
on the Taliban,” he said.

While challenges remain, he said the administration would work with
NATO allies on initiatives to work towards peace and reconciliation in
Afghanistan, including the Taliban if they agree to conditions,
including breaking with Al Qaeda.

“The goal that we seek is achievable, and can be expressed simply:
no safe-haven from which Al Qaeda or its affiliates can launch attacks
against our homeland, or our allies,” he said, but added, “We will not
try to make Afghanistan a perfect place.

“We will not police its streets or patrol its mountains
indefinitely. That is the responsibility of the Afghan government, which
must step up its ability to protect its people; and move from an economy
shaped by war to one that can sustain a lasting peace.”

In a nod to many voices impatient for complete withdrawal from
foreign wars, Obama said while America’s role has been to protect
freedom abroad, it is now time to invest at home.

“Over the last decade, we have spent a trillion dollars on war, at
a time of rising debt and hard economic times. Now, we must invest in
America’s greatest resource — our people,” he said.

“America, it is time to focus on nation building here at home.”

achieve whatever it sets out to accomplish.

However, he said, the United States needs to “finish the work at
hand. Let us responsibly end these wars, and reclaim the American Dream
that is at the center of our story.”

** Market News International Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 **

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