Murtha says Afghanistan plan lacks goal

[unhappycamper]

Murtha says Afghanistan plan lacks goal
By Kimberly Hefling - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Mar 3, 2009 21:21:17 EST

WASHINGTON — Rep. John Murtha said Tuesday the situation in Afghanistan is so challenging that he estimated it would take 600,000 troops to fully squelch violence in the country.

The Pennsylvania Democrat, who chairs the powerful subcommittee that funds the military, said his figure was based on the country’s history of rigorous fighting and its size.

“That’s what I estimate it would take in a country that size to get it under control,” Murtha said in an interview.

Murtha also said he’s uncomfortable with President Barack Obama’s decision to increase the number of troops in the country by 17,000 before a goal was clearly defined. But he says he anticipates a plan will be developed to train Afghan security forces, and then the U.S. military will get out. He said he sees Afghanistan has more of a diplomatic mission, than a military one.

“I think you’ll see a change,” Murtha said. “I’m confident you’re going to see them only adjusting for a short period of time with these additional troops.”


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/03/ap_murtha_afghanistan_030309/%2e



uhc comment: Maybe when they're working up the goals for the increased boots on the ground, they can also start working on an exit strategy.