LOC21:28
18:28 GMT
WASHINGTON, Sept 23 (KUNA) -- US Defense Department confirmed on Wednesday
that US Commander in Afghanistan General Stanley McChrystal will send his
troop request to the White House by the end of this week.
"I am confident that there is a commitment on everyone's part to work this
complex issue as quickly as possible, but without rushing it. It is far more
important that we make sure that the strategy we are pursuing is the correct
one and the president and his team are comfortable with it," said Pentagon
spokesman Geoff Morrell in a press briefing.
"That, in the long run, is what is going to lead to success in Afghanistan
and the safe return of our forces," he added.
Defense Secretary Gates received an assessment report from McChrystal on
August 31 before forwarding it to the White House the week after where
President Barack Obama and his national security team are still reviewing the
overall strategy before approving any surge of US troops in Afghanistan.
"It is simply premature to consider additional resources until General
McChrystal's assessment has been fully reviewed and discussed by the president
and his team", noted Morrell while noting that the White House will tackle the
Afghan strategy after the national security team returns from the United
Nations General Assembly in New York.
Morrelll downplayed media reports about concerns over US strategy in
Afghanistan and speculations that the White House is trying to delay any
troops request by McChrystal.
Obama announced his Afghanistan Pakistan strategy on March 27 with a stated
objective "to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaeda" and McChrystal's report
was a follow-up on how many troops are needed for this counterinsurgency
strategy to work.
Morrell said that the Afghan presidential elections last month were
"clearly a triumph against some real security obstacles, but have led to a
real question about the legitimacy at least of some of the ballots." (end)
jm.bs
KUNA 232128 Sep 09NNNN