Friday 27 March 2009
by: President Barack Obama, t r u t h o u t | Transcript
President Barack Obama with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. (Photo: Reuters)
Good morning. Today, I am announcing a comprehensive, new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
This marks the conclusion of a careful policy review that I ordered as soon as I took office. My Administration has
heard from our military commanders and diplomats. We have consulted with the Afghan and Pakistani governments; with our
partners and NATO allies; and with other donors and international organizations. And we have also worked closely with
members of Congress here at home. Now, I'd like to speak clearly and candidly to the American people.
The situation is increasingly perilous. It has been more than seven years since the Taliban was removed from power, yet
war rages on, and insurgents control parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Attacks against our troops, our NATO allies, and
the Afghan government have risen steadily. Most painfully, 2008 was the deadliest year of the war for American forces.
Many people in the United States - and many in partner countries that have sacrificed so much - have a simple question:
What is our purpose in Afghanistan? After so many years, they ask, why do our men and women still fight and die there?
They deserve a straightforward answer.
So let me be clear: al Qaeda and its allies - the terrorists who planned and supported the 9/11 attacks - are in
Pakistan and Afghanistan. Multiple intelligence estimates have warned that al Qaeda is actively planning attacks on the
U.S. homeland from its safe-haven in Pakistan. And if the Afghan government falls to the Taliban - or allows al Qaeda to
go unchallenged - that country will again be a base for terrorists who want to kill as many of our people as they
possibly can.
The future of Afghanistan is inextricably linked to the future of its neighbor, Pakistan. In the nearly eight years
since 9/11, al Qaeda and its extremist allies have moved across the border to the remote areas of the Pakistani
frontier. This almost certainly includes al Qaeda's leadership: Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri. They have used
this mountainous terrain as a safe-haven to hide, train terrorists, communicate with followers, plot attacks, and send
fighters to support the insurgency in Afghanistan. For the American people, this border region has become the most
dangerous place in the world.
But this is not simply an American problem - far from it. It is, instead, an international security challenge of the
highest order. Terrorist attacks in London and Bali were tied to al Qaeda and its allies in Pakistan, as were attacks in
North Africa and the Middle East, in Islamabad and Kabul. If there is a major attack on an Asian, European, or African
city, it - too - is likely to have ties to al Qaeda's leadership in Pakistan. The safety of people around the world is
at stake.
For the Afghan people, a return to Taliban rule would condemn their country to brutal governance, international
isolation, a paralyzed economy, and the denial of basic human rights to the Afghan people - especially women and girls.
The return in force of al Qaeda terrorists who would accompany the core Taliban leadership would cast Afghanistan under
the shadow of perpetual violence.
As President, my greatest responsibility is to protect the American people. We are not in Afghanistan to control that
country or to dictate its future. We are in Afghanistan to confront a common enemy that threatens the United States, our
friends and allies, and the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan who have suffered the most at the hands of violent
extremists.
So I want the American people to understand that we have a clear and focused goal: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al
Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future. That is the goal that
must be achieved. That is a cause that could not be more just. And to the terrorists who oppose us, my message is the
same: we will defeat you.
To achieve our goals, we need a stronger, smarter and comprehensive strategy. To focus on the greatest threat to our
people, America must no longer deny resources to Afghanistan because of the war in Iraq. To enhance the military,
governance, and economic capacity of Afghanistan and Pakistan, we have to marshal international support. And to defeat
an enemy that heeds no borders or laws of war, we must recognize the fundamental connection between the future of
Afghanistan and Pakistan - which is why I've appointed Ambassador Richard Holbrooke to serve as Special Representative
for both countries, and to work closely with General David Petraeus to integrate our civilian and military efforts.
Let me start by addressing the way forward in Pakistan.
The United States has great respect for the Pakistani people. They have a rich history, and have struggled against long
odds to sustain their democracy. The people of Pakistan want the same things that we want: an end to terror, access to
basic services, the opportunity to live their dreams, and the security that can only come with the rule of law. The
single greatest threat to that future comes from al Qaeda and their extremist allies, and that is why we must stand
together.
The terrorists within Pakistan's borders are not simply enemies of America or Afghanistan - they are a grave and urgent
danger to the people of Pakistan. Al Qaeda and other violent extremists have killed several thousand Pakistanis since
9/11. They have killed many Pakistani soldiers and police. They assassinated Benazir Bhutto. They have blown up
buildings, derailed foreign investment, and threatened the stability of the state. Make no mistake: al Qaeda and its
extremist allies are a cancer that risks killing Pakistan from within.
It is important for the American people to understand that Pakistan needs our help in going after al Qaeda. This is no
simple task. The tribal regions are vast, rugged, and often ungoverned. That is why we must focus our military
assistance on the tools, training and support that Pakistan needs to root out the terrorists. And after years of mixed
results, we will not provide a blank check. Pakistan must demonstrate its commitment to rooting out al Qaeda and the
violent extremists within its borders. And we will insist that action be taken - one way or another - when we have
intelligence about high-level terrorist targets.
The government's ability to destroy these safe-havens is tied to its own strength and security. To help Pakistan weather
the economic crisis, we must continue to work with the IMF, the World Bank and other international partners. To lessen
tensions between two nuclear-armed nations that too often teeter on the edge of escalation and confrontation, we must
pursue constructive diplomacy with both India and Pakistan. To avoid the mistakes of the past, we must make clear that
our relationship with Pakistan is grounded in support for Pakistan's democratic institutions and the Pakistani people.
And to demonstrate through deeds as well as words a commitment that is enduring, we must stand for lasting opportunity.
A campaign against extremism will not succeed with bullets or bombs alone. Al Qaeda offers the people of Pakistan
nothing but destruction. We stand for something different. So today, I am calling upon Congress to pass a bipartisan
bill co-sponsored by John Kerry and Richard Lugar that authorizes $1.5 billion in direct support to the Pakistani people
every year over the next five years - resources that will build schools, roads, and hospitals, and strengthen Pakistan's
democracy. I'm also calling on Congress to pass a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Maria Cantwell, Chris Van Hollen and
Peter Hoekstra that creates opportunity zones in the border region to develop the economy and bring hope to places
plagued by violence. And we will ask our friends and allies to do their part - including at the donors conference in
Tokyo next month.
I do not ask for this support lightly. These are challenging times, and resources are stretched. But the American people
must understand that this is a down payment on our own future - because the security of our two countries is shared.
Pakistan's government must be a stronger partner in destroying these safe-havens, and we must isolate al Qaeda from the
Pakistani people.
These steps in Pakistan are also indispensable to our effort in Afghanistan, which will see no end to violence if
insurgents move freely back and forth across the border.
Security demands a new sense of shared responsibility. That is why we will launch a standing, trilateral dialogue among
the United States, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Our nations will meet regularly, with Secretary Clinton and Secretary Gates
leading our effort. Together, we must enhance intelligence sharing and military cooperation along the border, while
addressing issues of common concern like trade, energy, and economic development.
This is just one part of a comprehensive strategy to prevent Afghanistan from becoming the al Qaeda safe-haven that it
was before 9/11. To succeed, we and our friends and allies must reverse the Taliban's gains, and promote a more capable
and accountable Afghan government.
Our troops have fought bravely against a ruthless enemy. Our civilians have made great sacrifices. Our allies have borne
a heavy burden. Afghans have suffered and sacrificed for their future. But for six years, Afghanistan has been denied
the resources that it demands because of the war in Iraq. Now, we must make a commitment that can accomplish our goals.
I have already ordered the deployment of 17,000 troops that had been requested by General McKiernan for many months.
These soldiers and Marines will take the fight to the Taliban in the south and east, and give us a greater capacity to
partner with Afghan Security Forces and to go after insurgents along the border. This push will also help provide
security in advance of the important presidential election in August.
At the same time, we will shift the emphasis of our mission to training and increasing the size of Afghan Security
Forces, so that they can eventually take the lead in securing their country. That is how we will prepare Afghans to take
responsibility for their security, and how we will ultimately be able to bring our troops home.
For three years, our commanders have been clear about the resources they need for training. Those resources have been
denied because of the war in Iraq. Now, that will change. The additional troops that we deployed have already increased
our training capacity. Later this spring we will deploy approximately 4,000 U.S. troops to train Afghan Security Forces.
For the first time, this will fully resource our effort to train and support the Afghan Army and Police. Every American
unit in Afghanistan will be partnered with an Afghan unit, and we will seek additional trainers from our NATO allies to
ensure that every Afghan unit has a coalition partner. We will accelerate our efforts to build an Afghan Army of 134,000
and a police force of 82,000 so that we can meet these goals by 2011 - and increases in Afghan forces may very well be
needed as our plans to turn over security responsibility to the Afghans go forward.
This push must be joined by a dramatic increase in our civilian effort. Afghanistan has an elected government, but it is
undermined by corruption and has difficulty delivering basic services to its people. The economy is undercut by a
booming narcotics trade that encourages criminality and funds the insurgency. The people of Afghanistan seek the promise
of a better future. Yet once again, have seen the hope of a new day darkened by violence and uncertainty.
To advance security, opportunity, and justice - not just in Kabul, but from the bottom up in the provinces - we need
agricultural specialists and educators; engineers and lawyers. That is how we can help the Afghan government serve its
people, and develop an economy that isn't dominated by illicit drugs. That is why I am ordering a substantial increase
in our civilians on the ground. And that is why we must seek civilian support from our partners and allies, from the
United Nations and international aid organizations - an effort that Secretary Clinton will carry forward next week in
the Hague.
At a time of economic crisis, it is tempting to believe that we can short-change this civilian effort. But make no
mistake: our efforts will fail in Afghanistan and Pakistan if we don't invest in their future. That is why my budget
includes indispensable investments in our State Department and foreign assistance programs. These investments relieve
the burden on our troops. They contribute directly to security. They make the American people safer. And they save us an
enormous amount of money in the long run - because it is far cheaper to train a policeman to secure their village or to
help a farmer seed a crop, than it is to send our troops to fight tour after tour of duty with no transition to Afghan
responsibility.
As we provide these resources, the days of unaccountable spending, no-bid contracts, and wasteful reconstruction must
end. So my budget will increase funding for a strong Inspector General at both the State Department and USAID, and
include robust funding for the Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction.
And I want to be clear: we cannot turn a blind eye to the corruption that causes Afghans to lose faith in their own
leaders. Instead, we will seek a new compact with the Afghan government that cracks down on corrupt behavior, and sets
clear benchmarks for international assistance so that it is used to provide for the needs of the Afghan people.
In a country with extreme poverty that has been at war for decades, there will also be no peace without reconciliation
among former enemies. I have no illusions that this will be easy. In Iraq, we had success in reaching out to former
adversaries to isolate and target al Qaeda. We must pursue a similar process in Afghanistan, while understanding that it
is a very different country.
There is an uncompromising core of the Taliban. They must be met with force, and they must be defeated. But there are
also those who have taken up arms because of coercion, or simply for a price. These Afghans must have the option to
choose a different course. That is why we will work with local leaders, the Afghan government, and international
partners to have a reconciliation process in every province. As their ranks dwindle, an enemy that has nothing to offer
the Afghan people but terror and repression must be further isolated. And we will continue to support the basic human
rights of all Afghans - including women and girls.
Going forward, we will not blindly stay the course. Instead, we will set clear metrics to measure progress and hold
ourselves accountable. We'll consistently assess our efforts to train Afghan Security Forces, and our progress in
combating insurgents. We will measure the growth of Afghanistan's economy, and its illicit narcotics production. And we
will review whether we are using the right tools and tactics to make progress towards accomplishing our goals.
None of the steps that I have outlined will be easy, and none should be taken by America alone. The world cannot afford
the price that will come due if Afghanistan slides back into chaos or al Qaeda operates unchecked. We have a shared
responsibility to act - not because we seek to project power for its own sake, but because our own peace and security
depends upon it. And what's at stake now is not just our own security - it is the very idea that free nations can come
together on behalf of our common security. That was the founding cause of NATO six decades ago. That must be our common
purpose today.
My Administration is committed to strengthening international organizations and collective action, and that will be my
message next week in Europe. As America does more, we will ask others to join us in doing their part. From our partners
and NATO allies, we seek not simply troops, but rather clearly defined capabilities: supporting the Afghan elections,
training Afghan Security Forces, and a greater civilian commitment to the Afghan people. For the United Nations, we seek
greater progress for its mandate to coordinate international action and assistance, and to strengthen Afghan
institutions.
And finally, together with the United Nations, we will forge a new Contact Group for Afghanistan and Pakistan that
brings together all who should have a stake in the security of the region - our NATO allies and other partners, but also
the Central Asian states, the Gulf nations and Iran; Russia, India and China. None of these nations benefit from a base
for al Qaeda terrorists, and a region that descends into chaos. All have a stake in the promise of lasting peace and
security and development.
That is true, above all, for the coalition that has fought together in Afghanistan, side by side with Afghans. The
sacrifices have been enormous. Nearly 700 Americans have lost their lives. Troops from over twenty other countries have
also paid the ultimate price. All Americans honor the service and cherish the friendship of those who have fought, and
worked, and bled by our side. And all Americans are awed by the service of our own men and women in uniform, who have
borne a burden as great as any other generation's. They and their families embody the example of selfless sacrifice.
The United States of America did not choose to fight a war in Afghanistan. Nearly 3,000 of our people were killed on
September 11, 2001, for doing nothing more than going about their daily lives. Al Qaeda and its allies have since killed
thousands of people in many countries. Most of the blood on their hands is the blood of Muslims, who al Qaeda has killed
and maimed in far greater numbers than any other people. That is the future that al Qaeda is offering to the people of
Pakistan and Afghanistan - a future without opportunity or hope; a future without justice or peace.
The road ahead will be long. There will be difficult days. But we will seek lasting partnerships with Afghanistan and
Pakistan that serve the promise of a new day for their people. And we will use all elements of our national power to
defeat al Qaeda, and to defend America, our allies, and all who seek a better future. Because the United States of
America stands for peace and security, justice and opportunity. That is who we are, and that is what history calls on us
to do once more.
Thank you, God Bless You, and God Bless the United States of America.
ENDS