McKeon: President must make quick decision on Afghanistan
After meeting with President Barack Obama and other Congressional leaders, Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, said he wants the president to make a decision about troop requests made by the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan.
McKeon, who represents Victorville, Barstow and much of northern San Bernardino County, said he asked the president to provide enough resources to the war in Afghanistan to break what he sees as a stalemate.
"Either give (troops) what they need to be successful or get out," McKeon said he told the president. "I think it's crucial to our national security for us to be there, but if you're going to be there, you should be there to win."
Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, reportedly said he would request as many as 40,000 additional troops in the region. McKeon said he had not heard that number and is not sure McChrystal has requested a set number of troops.
McKeon said the president should heed warnings from about the consequences of inaction.
"In reading Gen. McChrystal's report, he says that failing to gain the initiative and reserve insurgent momentum risks an outcome where defeating the insurgences is no longer possible," McKeon said. "I think it's important a decision be made and we move forward."
McKeon, who represents Victorville, Barstow and much of northern San Bernardino County, said he asked the president to provide enough resources to the war in Afghanistan to break what he sees as a stalemate.
"Either give (troops) what they need to be successful or get out," McKeon said he told the president. "I think it's crucial to our national security for us to be there, but if you're going to be there, you should be there to win."
Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, reportedly said he would request as many as 40,000 additional troops in the region. McKeon said he had not heard that number and is not sure McChrystal has requested a set number of troops.
McKeon said the president should heed warnings from about the consequences of inaction.
"In reading Gen. McChrystal's report, he says that failing to gain the initiative and reserve insurgent momentum risks an outcome where defeating the insurgences is no longer possible," McKeon said. "I think it's important a decision be made and we move forward."
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